Four years ago we were living across the country, expanding our family in a cramped 1-bedroom apartment with two babies and two fur-babies all living on top of each other, trying to save for our future. Little did we know that within two months, we’d find ourselves both unemployed, our lives turned upside down, and our savings quickly dwindling toward zero! Now I sit here in my sunroom enjoying the summer evening thunderstorm, thinking on how grateful I am that you got us here, honey. Thank you for loving us, for never giving up, and for working so hard to make our dreams come true. Hashtag blessed. A new state, our new life, new adventures, new future. Living our dream that we envisioned so many years ago. We’re warriors. No stopping us. 😉😘❤️
I wrote that three years ago. Now I find myself sitting in the same room (my favorite room) on this beautiful rainy mild January night, feeling grateful once again for my surroundings and for all the lessons that the Universe threw at me. It certainly did throw some doozies! But they shaped the person that I am today… the girl that dreams big, the girl that loves deeply, the girl that keeps going through adversity. It’s important to take moments to pause and reflect on your journey. To honor the ups and downs and all the blessings in your life – even the challenging ones, because they’re the real opportunities for growth.
The rain has a subtle way of slowing us down and forcing us to take notice. It’s a life-giving force that represents transformation, reflection and rebirth. It helps me stop and feel grateful for this moment I get to live. Closing my eyes and listening to the sound of the rain through the trees and down the gutter is heavenly. There’s even a word for people like me… Pluviophile: a lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days. I appreciate being able to hear that sound. The calm, the quiet, the pitter-patter of rain drops. It’s a great opportunity to practice mindfulness.
If it’s raining where you are right now, then take a seat by an open window or better yet, go sit outside! Enjoy the sound of the rain, because there are people in areas around the globe that are desperate for it. There are others that aren’t able to hear the sound of rain at all. If you’re able, then take a moment to appreciate this gift that was given to you. Close your eyes, take a deep breath in and a slow relaxing breath out. Then, focus on what you hear and just listen… to the stillness, to your breath, to the sound of rain. Mother nature is a great teacher of mindfulness.
If it’s not raining where you are and you’d like to experience the calm for a moment, here’s another rainy day to inspire your mindfulness practice. Watch it with your eyes, or close them and listen with your ears. The more you practice, the easier it gets and soon you’ll be a pluviophile too!
xoxo
