photo credit: joiseyshowaa
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors” — African Proverb
As I sit here tonight, I am listening to the sounds of a good thunderstorm. Thunder, lightning, rain, wind. I enjoy the powerfulness of these storms (as long as they don’t cause any major damage). I really get a feel for how awesome this world we live in is.
Thunderstorms also get me thinking about the “thunder” in our lives. The storms that roll in, the wind that blows, the hail storm that can sometimes tear into us, the lightning that strikes out of nowhere. These are times that can test us. Test us mentally. Test us physically.
Sometimes they’re small storms in the walk of life, and other times they’re major storms. How we handle these storms can make all the difference in how we come out on the other end. When we can conquer these storms, we come out stronger than when we went in. I’ve had many of these ‘storms” at work, for instance. Whenever I do, even though I don’t like them, I always come out on the other side knowing so much more than when it all began. Sometimes life can throw a storm at us that can be difficult or impossible to overcome (cancer, car accident, tornado, etc). Still, how we handle these storms we can’t win can really also speak volumes about our souls. Maybe we won’t beat these storms, but maybe we can help someone else who is also fighting this storm with us, or give encouragement to others who might someday face storms like this. Never give up hope that how you deal with these life events can’t affect someone else later on, or that you don’t even know.
We never know what set of cards life will deal us, and things can change at any moment. The only thing we can do is act upon these cards we’ve been dealt. Some of the cards will bring sunshine. Others will brings storms. Take the storms in your life and act upon them in positive ways, and you’ll come out after the storm being a stronger and better person.
such a thought provoking post as, at times, I think I try and dodge the storms TOO much.
we can become fearful of them and not focus on the fact that they are a piece of life and allow us to enjoy the sun all that much more.
” If I had only done today what I set out for yesterday, I’d be free tomorrow.”
Hi Lance,
Growing up in NY, I fondly recall those summer thunderstorms you describe. Where I live now we don’t have them — and I miss them. There’s nothing quite like the sound of pouring rain on the roof and thunder along with flashes of lightning, as long as you’re indoors safe & sound! Then the cooler, less humid air is so refreshing afterwards, an immediate cooldown from a hot & humid day.
Your parallel to life’s storms is beautifully written. I’ve survived some in my own life. As I was going through them I tried to figure out why they were happening to me, and I think it was so I *could* help others deal better with similar storms they come upon in life — at least I’m trying to help. And yes, I am a stronger person after weathering these storms.
The storms also bring rainbows and a greater appreciation for sunshine when they’re over!
@MizFit — good point — dodging the storms isn’t always the right answer.
@Mark — I like it.
@Linda — Thank you! Sounds like you’ve found a way to see the good in these storms of life — that’s awesome!
You’re definetly right on your storm life analogy. I guess this is the same thing as losing or defeat. Defeat can surely teach you more about yourself, about the people around you and about life more so than victory.
While people my not welcome “storms” and “defeat” in their lives, it’s certainly necessary for one’s personal growth.
@Chris — the school of hard knocks can sure be educational!
Hi there Lance — it’s interesting how the problems we have in life have helped bring us to where we are today, isn’t it!
Also, after I have been through a “storm”, I get a sense that I am “inoculated” from having that thing happen again. Cheers.
I loved this post, cause I LOVE thunderstorms! Thank you! We don’t get them here very often in Vancouver and I certainly miss them. Great reflections you have shared about the significance of storms in our lives. Nature is really a valuable resource in more ways than one isn’t it? If you’re interested, check out my first post Eye of the Storm.
@Robin — It is interesting isn’t it! And we learn from these storms, so hopefully they don’t happen again!
@Davina — Thanks! I’ll check out your post as well, thanks. And, yes nature really can be a valuable resource when we really delve into it.
In Guam you don’t have spring,summer,winter and fall. But what you do have is a wet and dry season and currently we are in the wet season. And I love it. It does cause me to feel very introspective.
It’s funny when we weather the storm we often look back and say– Now that wasn’t too bad was it? It feels so much better coming through it!
I agree, a thunder storm describes lifes obstacles very well Lance. I always try to keep in mind that it is what you do after the thunder storm that truly matters. You can either wallow in self pitty or you can learn and move on. Like Linda said, there’s always a rainbow following the storm:~) Thanks for stopping by my blog and I look foward to coming to your frequently!
Hi Lance,
I love the analogy between thunderstorms and troubles we face in life. You’re right, many times a life storm can last for a long period of time, but after every storm there’s usually sunshine, so we know there’ll be a light at the end of the tunnel.
School of hard knocks? I was raised with that term. Could it be a Midwestern thing?
@Dr. Cason — Yes, usually the storms aren’t as bad as they seem when they start.
@Brandi — Good point, it is how we deal with these storms afterward that can make all the difference.
@Barbara — School of Hard Knocks — I still go there (so maybe it is a midwest thing)!
without storms, how then would we grow? very well said, mr. lanceman.….
What a great, thought provoking post! I am who I am because of the storms I have weathered. I don’t like weathering the storms, but I find that if life becomes too calm, I tend to loose my focus.
@Rebecca — Well, thank you very much m’aam!
@Kim — Thank you! Good point about loosing focus, sometime a little turmoil helps to get us refocused on what’s important.
I don’t like thunderstorms; whenever I see lighting I count how many seconds there are before I hear the thunder to try and figure out how far away it is. I live on the Bay of Panama, right next to the Ocean, so a lot of the time the lightning is close by.
That being said, there’s a quote that says: “A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner”. So I agree that learning how to weather storms is part of life, and you always come out at the other end knowing a lot of things you didn’t know going in.
@Marelisa — where you live sounds so exotic!
Really beautiful. I wrote about this earlier in the week, but this blows it away.
@Sara — Thank you, now I need to go see what you’ve written! You’ve piqued my curiosity.