My mom told me a story about rain. Which is why I named my blog, "When it rains, it’s a monsoon!" It seems the analogy for life’s problems can be found in the rain. For when it rains, it is relentlessly pouring down on the world around us, changing the temperature of our lives, and ultimately we cannot control it. We can however control how we deal with the rain, which is the perspective and the action that we take to that perspective.

In my mother's story she gives some different analogies of personality types and how they deal with the rain. In her scenario they walk outside, see that it is raining, they have no umbrella, and their car is on the other side of the parking lot. What do they do?

Some would just accept that it is raining despite the fact that they will get a little wet and they choose to make a run for it. It may be a bother but they can get though it and they know they will dry off eventually. Others may be resourceful and find something to shield themselves with such as a newspaper, their coat or some other thing. Some may just make the best of the situation and even though getting wet was not planned they leap out into the pouring rain and throw their hands up letting it wash over them. Some may curse the rain and blame the universe for frowning upon them. They might just believe that this is all an evil plot against them. While others may call a friend who can bring them an umbrella, they would rather have someone help them out than figure it out on their own.

Although these are extreme reactions to a not-so-extreme scenario these personality types are alive and kicking in the world around us.

I know my type right off the bat! I would just run to my car and if I am in a good mood... I'll throw up my hands and get really wet on purpose! But, that is just me. I think finding the humor in a bad situation always makes me feel at least a little bit better. They say laughter is the best medicine. Well, it is free medicine!

In my life when it rains it's usually a monsoon. See, there is no slight drizzle in my world! When it comes to my problems it is an all out storm! Throughout my life's journey I have learned how to deal with those situations and grow from them. This makes me think, it does take water to grow things. When it rains, no matter how inconvenient it may be, life grows all around us. You see, we need the rain to survive. Sometimes we need tragedy and problematic situations to grow ourselves. If life was just great all the time we would never really know how to deal, especially when things don't go according to plan.

So, with the storm comes new life, restoration of thirsty and weathered life, and cleansing of the dirt and muck built up from when it was dry outside. Not that it is without pain or suffering but what do you do in the midst of your storm? Better yet, how do you perceive the storm itself?

I guarantee there is no right answer for everyone. Everyone will experience their own storms differently. But, it is about perspective! Which perspective you will have is a choice that you get to make. You cannot choose the weather but you can choose how to deal with it.
I have been bringing up the serenity prayer to people a lot lately but it is so freaking true!

God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, change the things that I cannot accept and the wisdom to know the difference.

It is the wisdom to know that difference that really gets me. I just don’t want to accept that it is raining sometimes! The monsoon is here and I am in full denial. But, I can’t change it, it’s here and there is nothing I can do to stop it. What I need to do is change my perspective on that storm. Am I going to be pro-active or let it encompass and debilitate me?

Sometimes what perspective I take is the only choice I really have control over! When I realize I’m not in control of the rain it makes things easier and takes a lot of responsibility off of me!
Just something to think about!