Enduring Life's Stormy Weather

I found myself humming the song Stormy Weather today. My mother loved the song, but she liked the Lena Horne rendition. Me? I prefer the version by Etta James because it's in the same throaty styling as Ms. James's famous hit At Last, one of my all time favorite songs.

Anyway, all that aside, I'm thinking about stormy weather because so much of the country has been suffering from devastating storms during the past week. I guess it was only natural that Texas come it for its share of meteorological grief.

Bad Weather Disrupts 

"There is little chance that meteorologists can solve the mysteries of weather until they gain an understanding of the mutual attraction of rain and weekends." Arnot Sheppard is the source of that funny, but true, quotation. At least, it seems true because bad weather seems to occur on the weekend when you've planned an outdoor party, or on the holiday where a massive fireworks show or a trip to an outdoor concert is planned.

Stormy Weather In Your Life

When the weather outside is bad, we can take cover indoors and still enjoy the day. What happens when the storms of life befall you? Where do you take cover then?

Even though most of us have family and friends who want to shelter us from the fallout of storms, to a great extent, we have to weather the storm by drawing upon our strength more than theirs. You see, if you want to achieve something spectacular in life -- and that can mean something many would consider simple, but to you is spectacular -- you'd better anticipate the storms of life.

No one ever sets out to achieve a monumental goal and then proceeds step by step without interference, conflict, and challenges. The storms of life will descend upon you the minute you decide to do something special. Challenges and barricades are inherent in the quest for goal achievement.

It's like Frank Lane said, "If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm." Many have said the same thing in their own particular way. You can't get the reward without overcoming the challenges -- without fighting the dragons that guard every step of the path to the magnificent reward.

Weathering The Storm

You just have to set your mind to your task. Focus on what is at hand and what you can do today to achieve the goal at some future tomorrow. Do what lies before you right now. Do have a game plan as to how you'll handle adversity. Do have your own personal network that helps you bounce back when things don't go your way. Do be resolved to move forward. Do persist.

Always remember what William Alger said, "After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul's indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer."

Faith

You must have Faith -- that's Faith with a capital F.  To me that means belief in yourself, in your right to achieve, in your ability to achieve, in your ability to stay the course, in your ability to endure -- all while enjoying the journey.

The great Mahatma Gandhi said this about Faith: "Faith is not a delicate flower which would wither away under the slightest stormy weather."

Takeaway Truth

Gandhi also said: "If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm."