Rain

"Oh let the rain fall down,
And wash this world away.
Oh let the sky be grey.
Because if it's ever gonna get any better,
It's gotta get worse for a day."

- Bishop Allen

I've kind of been on a Bishop Allen kick for a few days now.  I've liked them for a number of years, but their lyrical prowess hasn't really registered with me until recently.  For some reason they sing about China a lot, but nevertheless their lyrics are definitely resonating with me.

This is sort of a continuation from my previous post, in which I was discussing the way that we grow through trying times as opposed to the easy days.  Well, today we're going to go a step further.  When things are rough, when we don't feel like we can make it through the week, or the day, or the hour, we need to have a positive outlook.  In all of these tribulations, there is a tremendous opportunity for growth.  We just need to harness that.  There are multiple divergences.  Some lead down dark and desolate avenues.  Others can lead to success and true growth.  It matters what road we take.  It is our decision.  We alone are, I believe, in charge of our own destiny.  And if we decide to take the sucky times and turn them into internal development, then we will be rewarded.

Things can get out of control sometimes.  We may not feel like we can handle them.  But there is a silver lining.  To get better, we need to get past the bad times.  As difficult as it sounds, I think we need to accept those bad times with grace and civility.  We cannot take life too seriously or we will drown (metaphorically of course).  When it rains, it pours.  Rain spoils picnics and ballgames, is wet and cold, and makes people feel miserable.  But rain also washes away bird poop and makes plants grow.  It is essential to life.  In the same way, it is essential to our lives.  When we allow ourselves to work through the terrible times, our mistakes can be washed away and we can start fresh and new.  We can take root in the newly replenished soil and grow to our full potential. 

"It's gotta get worse for a day..."