Rainfall in San Diego, California
Yesterday and today it rained in San Diego and Southern California. It’s such a rare occurrence, that yesterday’s 1-inch surpassed all known records for July rainfall in San Diego. It was so beautiful to watch, and a reminder that the world we know provides a bit of certainty —that every night has a sunrise, and every day has a sunset, and then a beautiful night to visualize the stars.
I called a friend of mine, who lives in L.A., and asked if it was raining there. He said he was literally outside, shirt off, just enjoying the rain. He inspired me to take off on the hiking trails and just enjoy getting wet and slipping in the trail mud. It was glorious! It had me singing in the rain.
Who knew that such a basic thing, like rain and sunshine, could make such a difference in our life? But it totally can, if we just pay attention. And I wasn’t. If it wasn’t for my Code Blue Partner in L.A., I wouldn’t have thought about just going out and getting wet. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed it, and how much it made my entire weekend.
When I got back, dripping wet, I decided to start a new style of painting. TBD how that works out, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we strive to enjoy every aspect of life.
“Stormy Weather” by Anthony Zolezzi
Think about the California drought, and the fact that we can celebrate the unusual rain fall landing on Southern California, which was brought by Hurricane Dolores in Mexico. What else could there be to celebrate but rain and water in California. And I almost missed the celebration because I wasn’t paying attention to the significance of this event. Realizing this reminded me of one of my early life lessons, when I was trying to understand what made people successful in business and happy in life.
I was a mess trying to figure this out, and by the way, also how I was going to make enough money to provide for the family. Then, I pondered on a quote that said, “The key to success in life is just three things: Pay attention, pay attention, pay attention.” To this day, I can visualize the print, although I cannot tell you who said it. But I have never forgotten that quote.
So many times, like today, I forget to pay attention. So my lesson, during my water drenched hike, was to practice paying attention. Live in the moment. When in a social situation, pay attention to the person I are talking with, instead of (my bad habit) trying to engage and work the room at the same time. (Yes, I have a lot to work on, but how glorious that is! What if we had it all together, nothing to learn?)
Ok, so lets get back to pay attention, pay attention, pay attention. Today, or after you read this, pay attention. Call a friend, and ask them what they are doing. Hopefully, they will tell you, like my friend did, that they took their shirt off and are singing in the rain. Feeling each drop and rejoicing.
What are you going to do tomorrow to pay attention? I know what I am going to do. I am going to write those three affirmations on my bathroom wall, or maybe on one of my bathroom canvases, which act as a daily reminder of what I need to be doing.
My belief is, if we all pay attention, we will be happier —even in the smallest things, like a butterfly or hummingbird, out of nowhere, buzzing by. How wonderful! But we have to pay attention! Yes, pay attention, pay attention, pay attention!
Tally ho!
AZ