Discovering a Rainbow in the Storm

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

— Helen Keller

We all experience times in our life where it seems like our world is getting flipped upside down and nothing is going our way. 

In these most trying of times, we must remember that nothing happens by chance; and that everything that does happen is part the divine plan for our personal and spiritual growth. 

I have found that one of the easiest ways to gain perspective on pain and suffering is to understand the law of contrast. 

We cannot truly appreciate anything without understanding contrast. 

If we have never experienced the heat of summer, then how can we enjoy the coolness of autumn?  

If we have not experienced the times of having lack, how can we cherish the experience of having abundance?  

And most importantly, if we have not experienced pain and suffering, then how can we appreciate the experience of joy and love? 

Understanding that all of our life’s challenges will come to pass, it is imperative that we learn how to find a rainbow in the storm. 
 

Finding A Rainbow 

Meditation and the practice of mindfulness train us to be aware of our thoughts and emotions.  This awareness teaches us how to identify and quickly let go of any thoughts or emotions that disrupt our sense of peace.

Our mindfulness practice forms the foundation that will keep us grounded when the hurricane winds threaten to blow the sense of our well-being away.  

And none of us are immune to the cascade of negative thoughts and emotions when we unexpectedly find ourselves in the eye of the storm.  

The question is how will we respond when the chaos is bearing down on us? 

Without a foundation of mindfulness, the deluge of negative thoughts and emotions becomes paralyzing.  We then operate out of fear and are unable to focus on what the best course of action is in the present moment.  

In this state, we increase the suffering by doing and saying things that we will later regret; causing us to miss the beauty in the storm. 

On the contrary, by practicing mindfulness, we focus on creating positive thoughts and emotions. Our actions and words come from the heart, and the results relieve the suffering around us.   

In this state, we simply endure until we discover a rainbow originating from the storm.