When It Rains, Let It
After an experience with a 6-year-old of impromptu walking in the monsoon rain that ended abruptly when it was suddenly dry within 100 feet of the downpour, the reminder of quick and unexpected change arrived. With it, came a recall of the advice from a vibrant 106-year-old who, when asked the secret to longevity, responded, ‘When it rains, I let it.’
Since this experience there is a lingering. A lingering recognition and reminder of choice. Letting in rain when it rains does not mean that we ignore injustice, desensitize to cruelty, or sit back and not take a stand when prompted. It does mean that we recognize there are times when we have a choice to step forth if we are to remain in integrity. The underpinning of our actions or inaction, however, is the letting go of the outcome. There is little you or I can control in the external. Yet, we are invited to exercise our influence at the same time that we are recognizing the immediate or even long-term outcome may not change. That is what the wise 106-year-old may have meant – letting it rain is the same as letting the chips fall where they may and not continuing to expend energy on the outcome after we have taken appropriate action.
Recently, I took a public position in support of something that matters to me. It felt edgy and outside of my comfort zone to support the issue that has privately impacted my life. I did so not to create controversy, but to support dialogue. This resulted in me learning about and considering other perspectives. While this time it did not change my position, it could have. The public decision was different than mine. And that was accepted as what is, at this time. I allowed the rain to fall as it did without expending energy wishing it were not so.
Increasingly I recognize the waste of dwelling on what might have been and is not. It takes less time, energy and focus even when the outcomes are not what I preferred or even anticipated. Less resistance to the pattern that appears. Allowing the response to move through me, feeling what is there, and then allowing it to move when it is ready to move. Perhaps that is what the 106-year-old does.
A trip last month resulted in a delay on the runway – it was raining and deemed not safe to fly. The delay meant needing to cancel a client appointment, which was done and then, I got to enjoy the rain. It was quite lovely streaming down the window; that was how I chose to view it.
This way of being, when practiced, also changes our relationships, beginning with ourselves. We can let me be me and you be you with less conflict and more acceptance. This was readily apparent recently as a conversation was initiated about end of life. My intent was not to force, challenge or even get answers. It was simply to seek to understand preferences, if present, so these could be honored. Expectations were limited – at best, might I offer these questions in a compassionate, non-confrontational way? This time I succeeded; many times, I have failed. Each is an experiential opportunity that helps me let go of the outcome. Or, it may simply help me see where I am attached to the outcome.
So, consider where you can hold on to a bit more loosely and go with the flow a bit more. When it rains, let it. And, I will continue to try to do the same.