I was walking the dog the other day and grumpy about something. The sky was mostly overcast (probably adding to my mood) except for a break in the clouds in the distance. And through this break came the most amazing ray of sun – determined to shine. I stood and watched this scene for such a while that even our Labradoodle Reiki became impatient.
A break in the clouds – what a great analogy. It is what we need to look for when we are stuck in a mood, attitude, or place that takes us down. We need to find a break in the clouds when things are difficult, challenging or fatiguing. We need to be optimistic – focused not on gloom – but on opportunities and possibilities.
Consider these:
1. You are stuck in what appears to be an infinite waiting line. The break in the clouds may be the people you meet on either side of you as you are stuck waiting – meet them, talk to them, share some time with them.
2. You planned an amazing barbecue and Mother Nature decided that day was better covered in windswept rain instead of sun. The break in the clouds may be that the tighter quarters forced everyone to visit more personally, or the great games it forced you to take out of the garage that were the hit of the party.
3. You are heading to a family holiday dinner and are dreading the event. The break in the clouds may be your invitation to a good friend to join you that may change the entire dynamic of the day – for everyone.
4. You are working with a total Debbie Downer-type personality – she complains about everything and always find the negative. The break in the clouds may be to ask for a promotion or transfer – bringing you to a new opportunity and the ability to meet new people.
I was stuck in a mood that was affecting everything I was doing and thinking. I needed the break in the clouds – a walk outside with an adorable dog – to remind me that no matter how overcast life sometimes seems, there are always small breaks – positive things – that can both end the gloom and improve our focus. Getting outside allowed me to see the break in the clouds, which turned out to be my ‘break in the clouds.’
Nature is an amazing teacher. When all seems dark, there is always – someplace – a glimmer of something extraordinary. Nature doesn’t broadcast the extraordinary; instead, we have to pay attention and watch for it.
The same is true with life. When things are tough, there is always something right in front of us to mitigate the challenge – we just have to choose to be patient, present, responsive and optimistic enough to see it. There is always a break in the clouds.
Good news should always be shared. And learning to find the breaks in the clouds – of seeing opportunity and possibility in all that happens – is very good news. Please share this with someone who can benefit from it. Contact me to learn about the Break-in-the-Clouds and other Greatness Coaching techniques.
