5/17/14
A Rainy Day
Sheets of Liquid drop into the street
like so much heavy cellophane…
all of the color washing away.
From the window, as I point myself to work,
Just rain fills my vision.
I notice my heart populated with difficult memories: dripping hair, prickling goose bumps and wet, chafing clothing,
coming to Mind and Body.
And Cold, cold as I come in to an air-conditioned office from the humid spring day.
Wet feet inside my shoes, the unavoidable puddle has seeped, amoeba-like
past the poor barrier of leather and stitching.
“Danger, discomfort, unhappiness,” says the body-mind. “Avoid, Avoid.”
I see myself already at work, hunkered down and miserable at my desk. Shivering and resentful.
Having arrived like a wet rat, emerging from a storm drain.
Gazing out from a place of warmth and safety in my dark living room, I wonder what other possibilities exist?
“Shh, sweetheart, I understand. You will be fine”, I comfort my pre-distressed self.
“Open your heart to this rainy day. See the choices arrayed before you.”
Now, Leaving my abode and entering the wildness.
The rain in my face is a sudden, sweet bath. A breath and a mindful leap over the muddy torrent in the gutter, lands me on my toes.
Surprised, my playful self awakens.
Driving, I note disdain on the faces of other motorists, distress in the attitudes of pedestrians.
Parking the car, I must become one of them and cross a mighty river of traffic.
Aha! I see the cars sweeping up cascades of water as they skim the curb and try to spray me. But I am too quick and aware.
Navigating the blindly speeding cars with skill and patience,
I come to the other shore in safety.
The wind picks up and the rain flies cross-wise.
I’m grinning now as my happy child-self has come to play.
The wind bucks my umbrella, like a stubborn pony’s halter in my hand.
Laughing out loud, the sound engenders delight.
Entering my workplace, the energy of joy, flows into the room, touching everyone…
They look up, in wonder.
And Cold, cold as I come in to an air-conditioned office from the humid spring day.
Wet feet inside my shoes, the unavoidable puddle has seeped, amoeba-like
past the poor barrier of leather and stitching.
“Danger, discomfort, unhappiness,” says the body-mind. “Avoid, Avoid.”
I see myself already at work, hunkered down and miserable at my desk. Shivering and resentful.
Having arrived like a wet rat, emerging from a storm drain.
Gazing out from a place of warmth and safety in my dark living room, I wonder what other possibilities exist?
“Shh, sweetheart, I understand. You will be fine”, I comfort my pre-distressed self.
“Open your heart to this rainy day. See the choices arrayed before you.”
Now, Leaving my abode and entering the wildness.
The rain in my face is a sudden, sweet bath. A breath and a mindful leap over the muddy torrent in the gutter, lands me on my toes.
Surprised, my playful self awakens.
Driving, I note disdain on the faces of other motorists, distress in the attitudes of pedestrians.
Parking the car, I must become one of them and cross a mighty river of traffic.
Aha! I see the cars sweeping up cascades of water as they skim the curb and try to spray me. But I am too quick and aware.
Navigating the blindly speeding cars with skill and patience,
I come to the other shore in safety.
The wind picks up and the rain flies cross-wise.
I’m grinning now as my happy child-self has come to play.
The wind bucks my umbrella, like a stubborn pony’s halter in my hand.
Laughing out loud, the sound engenders delight.
Entering my workplace, the energy of joy, flows into the room, touching everyone…
They look up, in wonder.
Breathing in I feel anticipated distress
Breathing out I smile to my body
Breathing in I notice memories
Breathing out I send tenderness
Breathing in I invite playfulness
Breathing out I open to what is true
Breathing in I fill with Joy
Breathing out I send happiness
May this content benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.
-Ellen Adelman
© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, poetry and photography all rights reserved.
Mind Body Intelligence™, and MBI® are trademarks of Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.
For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.
Breathing out I smile to my body
Breathing in I notice memories
Breathing out I send tenderness
Breathing in I invite playfulness
Breathing out I open to what is true
Breathing in I fill with Joy
Breathing out I send happiness
May this content benefit you, those you love, and all sentient beings, everywhere.
-Ellen Adelman
© Ellen M. Adelman PhD 2013, poetry and photography all rights reserved.
Mind Body Intelligence™, and MBI® are trademarks of Ellen M. Adelman PhD and the Sage Healing Institute.
For more information visit www.sagehealinginstitute.com.