Yesterday I had planned to fit a short walk in toward the end of my work day. I was about to leave when it started to pour.
I felt immediately bummed and commented about it on our wonderful and growing Facebook community for women that promotes self-care as essential for living a full, energetic, and happy life. (And also offers strategies to help all of us move toward peace with our bodies and ourselves.)
A couple of women responded with really great comments about rain, both of which showed that our perception of the rain determines how we experience it. It can be something very positive – if we let it.
It reminded me of one day in graduate school when I was living in this old, beautiful apartment building. That particular morning I was sharing a press pot of intense coffee with my neighbor and new friend, Jenn Andrus.
In contrast to me, Jenn was a serious athlete. (I have never been athletic despite what most believe about me.)
It was pouring that particular morning. I looked out the window, and complained to Jenn that my plans to run after our coffee date were ruined.
In her typical positive outlook, Jen said “Are you kidding?! Running in the rain feels great!”
While the image of me running in the rain didn’t sound very appealing, I was instantly intrigued.
Jenn challenged me to give it a try. So, I decided to conduct a “thought experiment” by pretending I liked running in the rain. I wanted to see what would happen.
And, I’ll be darned if I didn’t actually enjoy running in the rain that day!! It did feel great.
I was glad I had decided to step outside of my typical mindset and stretch myself. It actually felt very freeing.
Epilogue: Do I now seek out opportunities to run in the rain, 20 years later? No. But, that experience taught me something important. When I’m willing to “friend the rain” before I go out in it (wearing the right clothes) it can be an empowering decision and freeing experience.
If my ideas resonate with you please join and “like” our growing Smart Women Don’t Diet community on Facebook.
I’d like to gift you one blog post per month to support and motivate you on your journey toward self-care. Please click on the orange “gift” to the left of this post if you’d like this free support.
Check out Jenn’s thriving business to promote healthy eating located in New York City.