One way to enjoy a nice rainy morning, is from the warm comfort of home, with someone you love and a nice hot cup of tea. Admiring nature in all its glory from behind a windowpane, enjoying the pause, and watching raindrops wash the world clean.
On the other hand, a great way to start any day for me is to go for a walk, in nature. Enjoy the fresh air and the bird song, touch the trees, admire their leaves framed against the sky, and drink in the greenery.
Last week, I was caught between these two loves of mine. Should I sink into the arms of stillness and watch the rain-soaked mountains from the haven of my balcony or should I venture out into the lush green wetness for my morning walk?
As it turns out, I did not have to choose. I got to enjoy spending time with both of my loves.
Let me tell you a bit about my walk in the rain. It was overcast, and great big grey thunderclouds hung heavy in the sky. But there was a break in the rain and a glimmer of sun broke through. In life, they say timing is everything. This ray of sun gave me the courage. I grabbed an umbrella and set off for my walk, hopeful that I would be back before the clouds unbuttoned themselves.
Twenty minutes later, I had forgotten about the threat of rain, listening to a podcast and occasionally stopping to take a picture, my walk was going well. And then it got ominously still. A few drops of rain signalled to me that it was possibly time to open my umbrella. Which I did, and kept going. Minutes later, I was caught in a torrential downpour.
Luckily, I was near a bus shelter and decided to wait it out. Hoping that the rain would subside, I stood there watching the heavens open up and pour their heart out. The minutes went by and I realised that if I was going to make it back in time to log on for my meeting, I would have to brave the storm.
Out came the umbrella and I tentatively stepped out of the shelter. Trying my best to avoid the potholes that had now filled with muddy water, and keep my shoes from getting wet, I struggled up the pathway.
Ten minutes later, my walk in the rain truly began. I had accepted my new reality. I was no longer trying to stay dry. It was pointless. My shoes and socks and shirt and shorts were all dripping wet. The gusts of wind and the pouring rain had ensured they washed me clean too. The umbrella did manage to keep my head dry, for which I was grateful as walking in the rain with glasses on tends to be a bit cumbersome (as they have not invented windscreen wipers for spectacles as yet).
The minute I stopped trying to stay dry, I started enjoying my walk again. What we resist can be overcome by accepting it. I felt like a kid jumping up and down in a muddy puddle. I smiled, I took a deep breath and decided to enjoy the experience. I embraced the moment fully, squelching shoes and body-hugging t-shirt were no longer a problem. I had accepted it all as part of the experience. For the next 30 minutes, my walk in the rain was a place that I let go of trying to control anything. Just one step in front of the other. Not worried about getting wet, just enjoying the feeling of being one with the elements.
The same walk that I have been on many times before was transformed. It was like an all-new experience. A reminder that our environment does play a big role in how we show up and how I respond to the environment impacts my experience of the world. In a sense, I reframed the narrative, once I realised there was no way to stay dry, I embraced the wet.
In communication too, this lesson holds. The context always defines the content that works. The way you show up needs to adapt to suit the external conditions, but you must remain committed to some core values and principles. That way you remain true to your character and your brand reputation builds come rain or shine.
Another rainy morning greeted me. This time my shoes which were still dripping wet from the day before, dissuaded me from venturing out. I decided to exercise at home, found some dumbbells and a stretchy rope, and devoted 45 minutes to my arms and legs. Not as enjoyable as my time in nature, but I felt good to have exercised. I patted myself on the back for adapting to my circumstances and finding a way to devote time to fitness.
And then there was the rainy day when I decided to do nothing. I made myself a nice cup of coffee and just enjoyed the view. As if on cue, the gift that I got for pressing pause, was the treat of getting to see a beautiful rainbow. It lasted for about a minute, before the rain came back and washed it away, but I got to make my wish.
My walk in the rain, my choice not to walk in the rain, and my decision to just rest, and watch the rain, all worked out. Lesson from the rain filled week gone by – Accept. Adapt. Allow for the pause. Let it rain. Life is beautiful.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
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