Restorative Rain

Rain is a blessing, especially in areas of drought. Southern California, despite its overcrowded suburban and metropolitan structures and its numerous inhabitants, is desert. Its arid climate makes for months and months of extreme temperatures, without a single drop of precipitation falling from the sky. Even clouds are sparse, and the occasional ones that seem promising of showers often "constipatedly" roll on by without ever excreting their inner turmoil; and when it appears they will finally dump their entrails in anticipated downpour, instead they taunt the earth with an aggravating light, misty drizzle. If there is an occurrence that can truly be considered rain, the way the rest of the country knows it, it wreaks havoc. It causes a plethora of traffic accidents, flooding, and, in severe cases, mudslides that can damage and destroy homes and endanger people's lives. Yep, socal is better off basking in the sun for the majority of the year.

Growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, the lack of moisture here was a novelty to me when I first arrived. Southern Florida's annual rainfall is almost 5 times southern California's, and the storms there are torrential! Not that it wasn't easy to adjust to LA's gorgeous weather; I am more of a sunny person any day and greatly prefer it to an overcast atmosphere. In Florida, the thunderstorms come and go in a matter of hours, and almost immediately the sun is up and shining brightly again. It is a spectacular phenomenon to see the sheet of violent rain approaching from a distance until it reaches and suddenly engulfs you. I remember I would stand outside my house and watch the curtain of water inch closer and closer toward me until it was within a yard from my body, and I'd still be dry until the moment it hit!! Lightning would frequently strike and thunder would viciously roar as the heavens pompously flaunted its terrible yet awesome powers! :D Now THAT'S Rain!! Then.... Calm... and maybe a rainbow or two stretching across the horizon.

Besides the obvious organic benefits of rain upon nature, today I'm appreciating its spiritual benefits on the human heart. Throughout history, hardships and trials have been metaphorically compared to meteorological storms. People have poetically stated that when it rains, the celestial bodies are crying over a tragedy. I have also heard songs in which the lyrics melodramatically clamor that the raindrops will hide the tears streaming from a broken-hearted lover's eyes. Still, others describe rain as a cleansing from grime and impurities... a washing away of evils... the evils of pain and sorrow and strife. Perhaps it serves as a comforting reflection of one's inner emotional state, hopefully as transitional and passing as a storm; or going even further, it is a demonstration of empathy from the surrounding environment proving that one's suffering has not gone unnoticed, and someone or something out there sympathizes with you.

I have lived in Cali about 4 years, and it wasn't until recently that I have been intensely longing for rain to ease my spirit. Rain is calming and soothing; it is therapeutic. Sleeping in a thunderstorm is by far one of the best and most relaxing forms of slumber. It's romantic too I'm sure, for those with significant others, as well as those yearning to find their soulmate. At the beginning of this blog, I mentioned the dreams of rain clouds and rainbows sprouting in the midst of my confusion. These past couple of days, I have delighted myself in the much needed precipitation. It is as if finally the universe has decided to cooperate with my justified tantrum. Seldomly, but now more than ever, I simply desire to be acknowledged by the indomitable forces of nature in order to feel acquiesced by a Higher Power.. a Higher Power that hopefully hasn't forgotten me and can make things right. Thank you God for rain!! What a wonderfully creative outlet and restorative release... sigh...