The weather and staying happy

It rained here for a week straight. The kind of rain that pours down. Then lingers and leaves everything wet, cold and grey. We needed lights on the whole day.

It was the kind of weather that leaves you indoors. Not a very big deal but just enough to make you feel irritated because you have to postpone daily walks, run into the stores. It lowers your energy level in general.

And then, one morning, I opened the curtains and the world had changed.

SNOW!

Just outside Madrid.
Everything was white. Still. Bright.
The most beautiful morning we had seen in a long time.
It felt like a gift, like the universe was telling: “see… this is also possible”.

In the morning, traffic and busy life stopped. By afternoon, it had melted.
And then the rain came back again.

This weekend, there was a small gap in the rain.
Just enough to go out for a hike towards a waterfall.

We never reached it: the path had turned into streams.
So we turned around.
Still, we had a great time, jumping puddles and streams, seeing eagles soar.

What is this all about? Why do I tell you this? I hear you thinking.

It’s because staying true to yourself is not about waiting for perfect conditions.

It is about moving when there is a small opening.
It is about going, even if you don’t know whether you will make it.
It is about turning back without disappointment
It is about enjoying the unexpected beauty along the way.

The weather changes.
Circumstances change.
Energy levels change.

But you don’t have to. Change your mindset.
You can finish those unfinished jobs while it’s raining.
You can be glad in the snow. Or curious in between.
And at peace and grateful when the path asks you to turn around.

Staying true to yourself is not about controlling the weather.
It is about walking anyway.