As is typical this time of year in Colorado, we recently had
a series of thunderstorms accompanied with hail. One such storm left the once pristine finish
on my vehicle with a new textured finish.
The dimples on my truck looks more like the surface of a golf ball now –
perhaps it will improve the aerodynamic flow and improve my performance much
like it does a golf ball - LoL
A storm the other evening though was a vivid reminder of why
there is truth in cliché. As the hail
was coming down, the storm moving off to our east was already allowing the sun
to shine behind it. As I looked out
through the steady stream of hail, two rainbows appeared on the eastern
horizon. What a contrast as the hail
continued to fall yet the sun was illuminating the colors as the rainbows grew
brighter. It was in that moment, that I
was reminded of the basic truth there is always an end to the storm and beauty
can be found even in the midst of chaos and destruction.
The storms we face in life are meant to offer lessons and no
two are ever exactly the same. Have you
ever wondered how two people can experience the same event yet walk away with
very different conclusions? The reason
is quite simple. They were each meant to
learn something from the situation designed specifically for them. While one may walk away embittered the other
may be uplifted. How we face into the
storms in our lives determines how much (or little) of the lesson we
learn. And should we fail to learn what
we needed to, another lesson will present itself in a slightly different form
(since we obviously didn’t learn from the previous one).
Embracing learning opportunities is what allows us to
grow. We have to be willing to live
within the moment and not flee if we are going to benefit from it. On a recent hike, I came across a cactus
patch. The spines can be piercing, so I
have a tendency to steer clear of them.
However, this particular patch caught my eye. As I looked closer, a group of beetles were
busy maneuvering among the sharp needles searching for food. They seemed to be comfortable moving between
the spines. There are many creatures in
life that have learned to live joyfully amongst what appears to be treacherous
territory. Think of the clown fish that
lives within the confines of the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone. Think of the tubeworms in the depths of the
ocean growing in the midst of highly acidic thermal vents.
Nature has come to thrive in some of the most hostile
conditions. Rather than run away in
search of safer territory, these creatures accept the situation and learn to
live harmoniously in what appears to be a nearly impossible environment. The natural world offers great examples of
what it takes to live successfully in the midst of great challenge. We can learn to accept the situation we are
in and develop ways to be successful where we find ourselves. Far too often, our initial reaction is to run
away from life’s challenges rather then look deeper and move into them. When we choose to run, we fail to learn. It’s only when we’re willing to stand in the
midst of our sticky situation that we have the opportunity to grow and become
better from it.
Some may wonder what purpose does a hailstorm serve. For one, it helps to strip the weaker leaves
and branches from trees and plants allowing sun and moisture to penetrate into
the healthier parts It
also brings moisture. And I’m sure there
are numerous other benefits that come from its seemingly destructive force. As for the hail damage to my vehicle, I think
it adds character and has become a regular reminder of the importance of living
through adversity. After all, it’s just a
truck.
.
Duane Grove is founder of Connect2Action and an aspiring
quiet, reflective servant-leader.
Curious sage in perpetual development connecting all on a journey of
discovery of our highest purpose. Follow
Duane on Twitter @connect2action and connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook,
and Google+. Learn more about
Connect2Action by visiting www.connect2action.com.
You can follow his blogs at: mindfulperspectives.blogspot.com and
connect2action.blogspot.com
