Let Life Rain On You
My husband and I went to the beach recently. It’s one of my favourite things to do, not just because I love the beach, but because the drive there is nothing but stunning landscapes. As we drove through the rolling hills, he remarked how beautiful and green everything was. Thanks to the winter rains, everything looks lush and vibrant. In a few short months (maybe even sooner), the sun will scorch everything again and the landscape will return to its dehydrated, straw-like colour.
It reminded me of an Arab proverb that I love very much: Sunshine all the time makes a desert. The rain brings a necessary balance and allows things to grow. It’s no different in our lives too. All the challenges we go through are the rains that allow us to grow and evolve. We exercise to challenge our bodies to grow stronger. Challenges that arise in our lives are opportunities that give us a chance to build mental, emotional, and spiritual muscle. And like our physical muscles that tear when we exercise, life’s challenges may feel like they’re tearing us apart— but you become stronger through that experience. You may feel weak or inferior or incapable, but you know that with every rep, every set, every time you show up to exercise your body, you’re building strength and resilience. And with every challenge, every obstacle, every setback, you’re also building strength and resilience. For a large portion of my life, I was a runner. The physical training is the easy part; it’s the mental aspect that’s hard. The mind wants to give up far before the body is ready to give up. I think that applies to a lot in life.
I was reflecting on all the challenges I’ve faced in my life and realized that without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I wouldn’t be as strong, or as wise, or as compassionate, or as open, or as loving. When you’re facing hardship, it’s easy to fall into the mindset that you’re alone or that bad things only happen to you. But it’s a universal experience part of the human condition. The form it takes differs from person to person— some people face major health challenges, others may face financial troubles, and others still may face problems in their relationships— but when you look beyond the form to the underlying essence, we each face challenges that are uniquely designed to help our soul learn and evolve. It’s when we refuse to transcend our own suffering that we continue to live in it. Like Einstein said, no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. When you rise above your challenges, you can see them for what they truly are.
I hope that when you’re going through a challenging experience, you remember that life is raining on you so you can grow. I hope that you look at yourself with the same admiration and joy that you have when you see flowers blooming in the spring. May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary (Xan Oku).