Life is Like the Weather

The past few days we have had gorgeous weather until today's thunderstorm which reminded me how life can truly parallel weather.  Like the weather, life may change in a moment of time.  At times we can feel or see the changes coming and other times we are blindsided with a change that is unpredictable, dramatic, and sudden.  Like life, weather can't be predicted too far out.  We can make plans however we have no control over the weather, we can't stop the rain, snow, lightening, or sleet from coming or its timing.  We are powerless in the circumstances of the weather just as we are sometimes in life.  We check the weather before deciding when to take a trip or vacation just like life we base our decisions on what we see in the forecast to come.  Those that run to better warm weather like Florida though may be running into other weather problems such as hurricanes that can be just as dangerous if not more.  While in a storm it may be too dangerous for us to continue our journey or trip.  We may be stuck under a bridge seeking out shelter until the storm rolls over just as in life we may be stuck in moments of waiting.  While we may not be able to choose where the lightening will strike, we can choose where we seek refuge and choose to go.  In life we can choose where we seek refuge be it our faith, relationships, drugs, etc.  Instead of waiting sometimes we may choose to drive into the storm though we are unable to clearly see through our windshields where we are going.  We risk not only crashing ourselves but sometimes by trying to go against the storm we end up crashing into others and hurting them too.

Sometimes all we have built up can in one moment be destroyed by a violent strong wind.  Those winds sweep in and knock us onto our butts leaving us behind with insurmountable damage.  While the weather can cause great damage, it can also be an opportunity to start anew and build something sturdier from the ground up.  The rain may come and pour down hard but when it is over in turn it cleaned up debris that was once there.  All the dirtiness can be washed away leaving a clean slate and a beautiful rainbow.  At times we may smile during the storm as we see the light at the end of the front coming and the sun shining once again.  As big black clouds may loom over us we may not be able to see the end though.   Without being prepared with a flashlight, we may be stuck in pitch black darkness wandering with our arms out in front us trying to reach and feel for something we know.  We don't just stand in place because we know it won't get us anywhere so we take the risk of trying to feel out our area so we can find the fuse box switch, candle, or hidden flashlight.  The more familiar we are with the area and darkness the easier it is to navigate.  When in darkness, the moments that the lightening strikes and the light flashes illuminate everything, it is then we can begin to see the beauty.  The darkness may return right after but we simply wait a few more minutes in the darkness for the next lightening to flash so we can soak up every moment there is light and we can see before us. 

While some seek security from a storm in their basement or under a bridge, there are others out there that chase storms with wild abandonment.  They seek the high and rush from their encounters with different storms.  They go storm to storm living on the edge risking everything.  Those are the extremists we see around us in life that devote their lives to a greater cause, take a different path in life, jump off a cliff starting with a giant leap of faith, or even those that always seem caught up in a storm of some sort.  Just as with the weather, one area may be affected with dark clouds pouring down buckets of endless rain when another area in close proximity is experiencing clear skies, warm weather, and bright sunshine.  With life, those around us may be in a terrible endless storm while we stand right next to them with calm peaceful weather.  We should always try to be aware of what type of weather another area or person is dealing with even though sometimes the storms are kept hidden and are hard to view or easily overlooked.   

While we are in the different changes of weather, we need to learn to adapt and adapt quickly.  While in snow we learn to bundle up and wear boots for protection.  For protection from the rain we use an umbrella to shield us.  Many of us even have emergency supplies set aside ahead of time for when the unpredictable weather strikes as we want to be prepared as much as possible in life.  It is the extreme weather that makes us appreciate the calm and sun in-between the storms of life.  Of course without the change in weather, life would be very predictable and boring so perhaps we need these drastic changes in the weather and our lives to keep it all interesting.  The troubling weather when calmed sure does let us appreciate the rainbows and sun that may follow.