A few days ago, I wandered in a steady rain. With my hood up, and my camera tucked in the pocket of my waterproof coat, I splashed through puddles along the trail. I appreciated the peace and quiet afforded by the inclement weather, though getting wet isn't my favorite experience.
A bit further down the trail, I spotted this beautiful female harrier hawk. She was perched on a fence post, rotating her head in search of any movement that signaled food. As I watched her, I suspected she had no judgment about the rain. She was simply hunting as she does many times a day, undeterred by the downpour.
We humans have many judgments about weather, and we spend an inordinate amount of time talking about it. Despite all the discussion, the weather continues to be what it is.
As I continued walking, I had a thought. Perhaps I could simply appreciate the rain for what it truly is. A life-sustaining gift from the Earth.
I recalled what a Native American elder shared about rain. She said that her tribe believes water is a precious element, and rainy days are seen as a gift. No one thinks to utter a complaint about rain. With that reminder, my thoughts shifted from considerations of comfort to a feeling of deep gratitude.
Perhaps the wisdom of the elder and the harrier is a reminder that the concept of weather is man-made, while the elements are divinely created. A part of our Beloved Earth, and a gift to us all…
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