I recently went to a sunflower field about 90 minutes from me. Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers as they are so cheery and point toward the light. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I knew there were fields you could visit, so I’ve made it an annual event.
The forecast for the day was partly cloudy, sunny, and temps in the low 80s. I headed out for my 90-minute jaunt, and the further I went from home, the grayer it got, and it started to sprinkle. I stopped and rechecked the forecast, which still showed the same forecast – no rain.
Minutes before I arrived at the sunflower field, the skies opened to pouring rain. I pulled into the lot and sat in my car as it poured. Once again, I checked the forecast; it still didn’t show signs of rain. So I sat and smiled. Eventually, the rain lifted, and I explored the beauty of the sunflowers. Just as I was getting ready to leave, the skies opened up again, and I trotted to the covering of the farmers market area. I stood there for nearly 10 minutes with the owners and a few other wet patrons while it poured. I was wet and happy.
It finally stopped raining about 10 minutes after I left the field, and it got me thinking about what we forecast in our lives. We often want the conditions to be perfect before we set out and give it a try; whether it’s a job, a relationship, or better health, we are yearning.
While we can’t fully predict or forecast the future, we do have control over how we navigate our sunny and stormy days. So, when you expect a sunny day and the clouds appear, please don’t see it as a setback but rather as an opportunity to adjust how you thought it would turn out and be open for it to be still magical, just different.
Moving forward, I invite you to adjust to whatever the forecast is by:
Feeling your feels. Nothing is wrong with feeling sad, disappointed, frustrated, or angry that things aren’t working out as you intended. Feeling what you need to feel acknowledges where you are and allows it to dissipate. Honor your feelings.
Look for the blessing in the messiness. Rather than seeing it as a setback, how can you turn it around into it being a possibility rather than a problem?
Ask yourself what your next best option is. That next best might be very hard but focus on just the ‘next’ best option rather than trying to solve the entire challenge.
Know that whatever you decide isn’t permanent. It might require time, energy, and possibly money to change it, but your decision right now can be changed. Be gentle with yourself.
Mostly, my wish for you is to see how precious and awestricken this dear life we have to live, and whether you are having a sunny or stormy day, that you meet it with a smile on your face, warmth in your heart, and a knowing you are LOVED.
Until next time, I send you sunflower LOVE.
Affirmation:
I am forecasting my life getting even better than I can imagine from where I stand today.
Words to LOVE by:
After the rain, the sun will reappear. There is life. After the pain, the joy will still be here. – Walt Disney
Into each life, some rain must fall. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. – Roger Miller
Sounds for YOUR Soul:
I Can See Clearly Now – Jimmy Cliff
