One of our biggest adjustments in moving to Austin will probably only be understood by those of you who live in Southern California. It sounds crazy to the rest of the real world, but we are having a hard time getting used to, well ....weather.
Los Angeles is the land of sunshine - the smallest raindrop elicits a "Storm Alert" complete with banner across the lower edge of the TV screen. There is a slight variance in temperatures, but you can pretty much plan months in advance for an outdoor wedding without any backup strategy.
Austin is the land of change. Last Sunday we woke up to rain and 40 degrees. By that afternoon it was sunny and near 80. Thunderstorms roll through and then the stars jump out of the nighttime sky. The saying "If you don't like the weather, just wait awhile." has become our mantra.
Living with actual weather is a great learning tool for living an unexpected life. What I am learning is that just as the thunderstorms roll through the night and then disappear, I can trust that the stormy times in my own life will roll though - and then disappear.
In Los Angeles, I expected the weather to be great - it wasn't cause for comment unless someone was from out of town. What I have noticed about my own life is that I am emotionally like Los Angeles - I expect life to be sunny and mild. When a shower approaches or God forbid, a thunderstorm, I get freaked out. I go on "Storm Alert", ready for the disaster that is sure to follow.
Most of you know that I sincerely believe in the Law of Attraction. However in my own life, I have frequently used this as a way to berate myself for any moment not to my liking. If it is not sunny in my life, then I am creating those showers. And they might turn into a storm at any moment. And I might not have an umbrella. Oh, no....what to do??
I rush about trying to stop the rain.
But now that I am more in touch with the cycles of weather, I see that contrast isn't always a bad thing. The gray clouds don't last forever and they have a certain beauty of their own. When I feel low or even snarly (think serious tornado alert!), I do know this will pass. Maybe I don't need to rush about trying to fix myself, fix my family, fix the world.
Maybe I just need to learn to "wait awhile".
These weather patterns seem like a more authentic life. Less flat-line lovely and more unexpected diversity. The issue turns into becoming comfy with peaks and valleys, with sunny days and thunderstorms, with feeling quiet and wanting to dance. Mother Nature seems to be supporting this awareness by giving me visual examples almost daily.
And I am learning.....in both my exterior and my interior life.... to relax and just be in this very moment. To trust that stormy times will give way to glorious sunsets and new views. I am learning to "wait awhile".
PS. The photo above was taken with my phone from our balcony - nice classroom for these life lessons :)
Wonderful blog, Karen! I totally enjoyed it!
Posted by: MaryDee Moore | 03/17/2012 at 08:24 AM