Walking in the Rain

Today, like so many other days, it's raining. The drops pool together with light tapping sounds that echo off of the roof shingles, and flow down through the rocky landscape smoothly to the bottom of the yard.

Are your plans a wash out?

When it rains, it pours. Rain causes a chain reaction to so many things surrounding it.

The wetness of it brings me to find the inner voice of accepting my desire to try harder. Therefore, I shall walk against the blowing forceful gusts of the storm that drives in the rain.

The nest made of twigs hangs over the sides of the entrance canopy to the outdoor waiting area of the local eatery. Looking into the lit up sky above, watching the rain fall, I noticed the dove. The peaceful bird rested while carefully watching my every move to make sure I didn't get to close.

My interests were far above what the bird could have ever imagined in her tiny mind so delicately concerned with waiting for the rain to stop.

Her intentions were unlike mine. She was waiting out until the moment came where she could fly freely to where she was going without hindrance in her path.

The drive to succeed comes from within.

For many, the drive is natural. A runner who wishes to participate in a marathon. A swimmer who wants to be an Olympian.

There are others who have to compete against themselves in order to win the race.

Take for example, the car accident victim who wishes to walk again. In order to do so, he must carefully balance his strength against two beams while he steadily focuses on moving his damaged legs. With painstaking will and desire, he inches closer to the end of the small goal line marked before him. It's not too challenging, but it pushes him to succeed one step at a time.

• Don't go it alone.
• Seek shelter during lightning storms.
• Bring an umbrella.
• Have a flashlight handy at night.
• Wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting wet.

The thunder claps its mighty hands against the gray sky lined with tall green trees.

The sun has hidden from the fiery flash of the lightning bolts that enrage its viewers with fear.

People escape the wrath of the storm by fleeing to automobiles, buildings, and other shelter.

I took the storm by the hand, and walked with it when the rain came down in hard sharp stings of hail.

• Review your local weather channel to see what inclement weather is expected.
• Be cautious around lightning storms.
• Decide if you want to wear a ball cap, bring an umbrella, or just as you are.
• Wear comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting wet.
• Have a plan when you come home for removing your wet clothing to not track water all over the house.
• Walk where you know it will not be flooded and create a dangerous situation.
• Be prepared for fast water running down the sides of streets.
• Have a plan to find shelter when you are out in an open walking trail.

Don't be afraid to be brave. Walk with your head held high. Look up! The rain is falling around you.

Avoid puddles. They will only soak your shoes making it more difficult to walk. Your legs will try harder and tire out easier with the heavier weight on your feet.

Be sure not to slip on wet surfaces such as slick grass.

Pay attention to your surroundings. Are the birds flying around? What do you hear?

It's rejuvenating to walk in the rain. It cleanses and purifies your surroundings.

Do you feel the rain slowly rolling down your cheek? It touches you ever so softly despite the loudness of the echoing drops as they hit each tiny puddle forming in your path.

Are neighbors watching from their windows? They envy you. You now have the trail to yourself.

To accomplish your goal, feel the rain with all of your senses.

Do you thirst? Tilt your head back and open wide. Taste the pounding rain on your tongue.

Hold your hand out and feel the cool wetness of the droplets falling through your finger tips. Try to catch one. Does it escape your grasp?

Listen. Do you hear it? Do you hear the rain here, there, everywhere now that you are surrounded by the endless beat of the orchestral sounds?

Breathe. How does the rain smell after it saturates the earth below your feet?

Are you drenched yet with the water from the clouds?

Does walking in the rain give you new hope to your desired future goals?

What did you accomplish by walking in the rain?

Did you overcome fears and humility?

Are you brave enough to go the distance?

Was it satisfying when you reached your destination?

The rain came tumbling down outside of my window as I got ready for another day of hard work.

I couldn't resist the temptation of going outside without an umbrella and feeling the coolness of the wet dripping rain falling over me.

Changing my sneakers to my old ones without laces, I bravely escaped from the gripping televised warnings about flash floods and proceeded to walk through the neighborhood.

With neighbors looking out their windows, I smiled to myself silently.

Rain falling around me, now pooling along the sides of the roads, making it difficult for me to walk each step. I kept moving away to the side of the water flowing gently toward the run-off grates.

Reaching the park, I realized I wasn't the only one with the courage to know how to face each day with monumental hope of a better tomorrow.

The man sitting on the park bench talking about the ball game. The high school track star running with galloping jumps in unison with every clap of thunder. And the speed walker, racing past my slow climb twice as I executed each step perfectly.

Ultimately, I kept walking. As the man on the park bench, walked home, and the track star skipped past a final time to her automobile waiting for her in the gravel parking lot. The speed walker gave up, turned around, and walked past in my determination to achieve more than I set out to accomplish.

With my face against the raging wind, each movement harder against the push of time. It was a personal race against myself.

Having known what it's like to not walk at all, I embraced the moment to walk in the rain.

In this lifetime, we all have a choice.

Are you pacing yourself, slow and steady, to win the race?

Do you have a goal in mind to pursue?

We will all get there. It's a matter of desire and time.

Skill is saved for the Olympians. It's the desires of the heart that achieve your personal success.

Strength, courage, perseverance, and hope carry you forth until you accomplish what you set out to do.

For me, it's one step at a time. I know eventually I will get there. My mind is in gear. I face each day with renewed hope for stepping out a little farther today than I did yesterday. Tomorrow is a new day that I will challenge myself against all odds to become a better me.