I try to walk everyday outside.  Usually when the kids get home from school I go out for about 80 minutes.  I really love being outside, getting that fresh air, moving my body, and have the stillness and peace of being alone, which, for a mom of 7 is super rare.  So it’s very important to me that I make a concerted effort to do this daily.

Yesterday I was able to go a little earlier than usual.  It was the middle of the day.  The clouds were out and it was so beautiful. 

Have you ever just really studied the clouds?  Maybe because I live in Washington state I have more of an opportunity 🙂 but you should do it sometime if you haven’t.  They’re perfect.  Some are fluffy, some are sort of flat and long and stripey, some are pure perfect white, others are the grayest of grays.  There are clumps of clouds that make shapes and there are some that are just little lone clouds.  There are clouds that are lit by the sun and shine and look heavenly.  I even see heart clouds every time I look.  It’s always an “awe inspiring” experience to walk and just look around and be present.

As I walked yesterday it was beautiful when I started out.  The sun was shining through the clouds and the sky behind the cloud cover was a perfect blue.  The air was cool and clean and I was really loving my walk.  After a couple miles through my neighborhood it started to rain and it reminded me of this quote I love:

“If you are caught unprepared by a sudden rainstorm, you should not run foolishly down the road or hide under the eves of houses.  You are going to get soaked either way.  Accept that from the beginning and go on your way.  This way you will not be distressed by a little rain.  Apply this lesson to everything.” –Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai

I was totally “caught” unprepared by the sudden rainstorm.  And I was far from my house. The thought didn’t even occur to be to be annoyed, or frustrated, or upset at getting wet … I was sort of pleased at the luck I had in an opportunity for a sunny rainy walk.

Have you seen the misty rain that is back lit by the sun?!  It’s magical!  And if you ever have
the opportunity to have a similar experience … LOOK FOR RAINBOWS!  I saw 3 on my walk yesterday and they were each a little happiness and joy filled moment that I just couldn’t do anything but stop and look, acknowledge the joy, and smile.

What a gift life can be!  It is a joy and a blessing when you expect to see miracles.  It is freedom and lightness when you apply the “rainstorm lesson” from above.

Expect beauty and then whatever happens see the beauty in the moment.  There is beauty in a rainstorm, there is joy in being present and around every corner there is always something to feel grateful for.

These things DO exist and ARE present.  So look for them.  Keep looking, constantly looking, and as they become your focus you will see that it’s almost all you see; those beautiful moments of clarity.

Peace comes in the clarity.  And it’s that peace that is perfectly untroubled and light and good.

See what you can find today that fills you with joy and then acknowledge where it came from and say “thank you.”  And as you do that you will receive more and a beautiful day will  unfold.