birds&rain--bows

Sigh....it is dreary, raining and windy outside right now. the rain always affects my mood, especially when the climate has been consistently sunny, warm and still, as it has been for the past few weeks. the temperature has been in the 70's and 80's and today it is in the high 50's/low 60's. i don't hate the rainy weather, because it helps me to appreciate the sunny weather. GOD knows exactly what to do! GOD gives us mostly sunny, beautiful days and throws in an occasional wet and cold day, just to keep us in check. because,we can be unappreciative and take for granted all the aesthetics in a typical spring or summer day. just think....after the rain has passed,the ground has dried, the birds begin to chirp again, we instantly become relieved and happy, for the sun is shining again and the temperature is just right!
perhaps i'm negating the beauty in the rain, there is beauty in it, it washes away the pollen, gives nourishment and life to the trees and flowers and makes rAinBows! i presume i just don't typically look at it that way.

my office has a big window, overlooking some trees and a courtyard type area. so every morning, since the spring season has begun, this same bird (i observed the bird, so i know its the same one) flys into my window, not once, not twice, perhaps about 5 to 10 times, trying to figure out how he/she/it can get into my office. and every time, i either get an attitude or just shake my head at the poor, clueless bird. but, today, i miss the bird, he/she/it has not shown up, perhaps, because of the rain....or has the bird given up? i think i was beginning to admire the bird's persistence and curiosity......that bird and the rain teaches very valuable lessons..... if it weren't for the rain, i wouldn't appreciate the sun, meaning, the difficult times and situations make the good times, even better. and that bird tells me to be diligent in that which i desire, oh and to stay out of the rain when i can, but don't disregard it and to appreciate each day, each person and situation!

**Disclaimer: this is not a "what is the meaning of life" entry....just my thoughts**

Life is funny! It absolutely amazes me how we experience things and either grow or become stagnant as a result of our experiences. I am really enjoying observing the developmental process of life.

I've been reading some poems that were written in 2000 & 2001. As I read the poetry, I began to sympathize with the sad, confused and searching young scribe. This authoress poured deep emotions, thoughts and beliefs onto the worn pages of a small, fabric journal, hoping to find some solace for the uncertainties of life. See, the young wordsmith had recently completed matriculation from undergraduate school, and was in search.....in search of purpose, employment, love, companionship and understanding. The choice of words used in the verses were thoughtful and full of self scrutiny. The memoirs were revealing and nostalgic. The more I read, the more I could relate to the poetic words. My feelings of sympathy vastly changed to those of empathy. As I too, had those exact sentiments and endured identical sagas, or what seemed to be sagas to a 21/22 year old.

I was able to reflect on life as it appeared to be at that time and make comparisons to present day. Empathy turned to gratitude.....gratitude for the tumultuous, as well as the victorious events that I have lived through. The writer is now able to appreciate those occurrences, because according to the entries, back then, she had vague hope for her future, it was minuscule, but it was hope. What I gather from the compositions was that gainful employment, true romanticism, love and wisdom was far off.

The growing, 2o-something- year- old, pseudo-poet now holds two degrees, is gainfully employed, cultivating a new romantic relationship, continues to seek wisdom and uses discernment cautiously. This person has not fully self actualized, but is diligently working up Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. As she continues to seek spiritual, personal and professional growth.
I check in daily with this lyricist, just to see if she's growing or becoming stagnant, just to see if she's using life's foibles and strengths to help or to harm.

Oh, I guess I have no choice to be in constant contact with this person as she is......
mE-mI!

Knowing, Doing, Being......

It was revealed to me some years back that my purpose in life is to "Shine light into dark places!". This task covers a wide spectrum of things, and to be quite honest, it can be a challenging objective. Today, I'll shine some light by expounding on one of my favorite quotes:

A person cannot seek for complete happiness from another human being; we must first seek happiness from above and from within! Just for today, I am happy because I make myself happy!

So many times,we want other people to talk, walk, act and be a certain way and we aren't anything close to what we are asking of them. Or maybe we are, and just can't accept that everyone is not like us. Also, we often times seek out relationships and friendships with people to make us happy. When the truth of the matter is, there is only one person walking this earth that can be responsible for my happiness, and that is me! Sure, another person can add to my happiness, but that person can't be my entire source of happiness. That is too much responsibility to put on one person and that is the quickest set up for failure and disappointment. I believe that it is important to discover personal, internal motivators for joy and peace. This is no simple task, it takes consistency and a true desire for happiness. It also takes some diligence in developing and nurturing a spiritual relationship.

OK, so after you have begun pursuing your happiness and gaining all the wonderful insight...there is another big task at hand........making sure that you don't allow anybody or thing rob you of this new found serenity. Because believe me, as soon as you start achieving new levels of success ( mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc.) the nay sayers will come along, to tear you down........."That which doesn't kill you makes you strong as iron!"

So I encourage, self exploration and self help to develop happiness and to build resiliency. Because let's be truthful, everyday isn't going to be an awesome day, but with a little work, more days than not can be great ones!

I read this book, titled the In Pursuing Happiness(not after the movie), and it helped me tremendously! Bibliotherapy is a great tool!

So, learn you, do you, be you!