What Does Rain Do For You?

It is raining. Rain has a way of slowing down the day so that I can read a book, sleep, or watch a movie. Its voice is quiet. I hear rhythm in the rain. Did you ever notice that it can rain on one side of the street and not on the other side? As a child, I liked going outside in the rain to splash in the puddles. I really want to go outside today to find some great puddles, but I will stay here and write for now. Yes, it brings out the child in me.

I've heard people describe rain as "liquid sunshine." In elementary school, I was told that April showers bring May flowers. The bottom line is we need the rain. Are you the person, who believes that a day is bad, because it  is raining?  What is that about? The world doesn't stop, because of weather changes. Of course, we have seen some disasters due to excessive rain storms. However, there are some strong messages that the rain brings if you listen.

One of the things that I like to do when it rains is shop. I remember getting a dress for much less than the asking price, because the manager was upset that not enough people were shopping for the end of the season sale and she did not want to return the dress to the stock room. On another rainy day, I received a free lunch at a restaurant by giving the the right answer to a trivia question. It was raining so much that the restaurant staff thought of playing a trivia game to draw a crowd.They had a sign in the window about the contest. I am so glad that I stopped in, because it worked for me.

In short, don't be sad when it rains. Wear bright rain gear. Go to lunch. Go shopping. Hang out at the spa. Take a deep breath and let the rain speak to you. Rainy days can be your best days. Shhhhhhh! Do you hear that? The rain is telling me to call some friends. Well, I have to go. It is time to talk to my girlfriends. That is my message. What is yours?              

Chivalry Forever

On any given day I see people texting or talking on their cell phones. They are so busy that they forget to focus on their surroundings. One day a man was so involved in his telephone conversation that he forgot to hold the door open for me. Did he really forget that I was behind him or had he missed out on learning about chivalry? What is chivalry? It is being courteous to women. For example, holding the door open for a woman or helping a woman to take bags out of the car. You might think that this is practice that has been long forgotten, but that is not true. Many gentlemen hold doors open for me. Most of the time I wait until someone opens the door for me before I precede through the door. Yes, it does work.

As a child, my father opened doors for me. He told me that a gentlemen is always polite. Can we say that today? Of course, a gentlemen has standards about how he treats women. Some men learned about chivalry from their fathers, grandfathers, or other men.

Let's look at this from another perspective. I have heard women complain that chivalry is gone. Well, as women we have to take a step back and welcome chivalry to come our way. I believe that if you want something you have to prepare for it. Yes, it is all in the planning. I know that we live in a busy society, but we have to put an effort into the way that want to be treated. In order to get something, you have to loose something. So, we can slow down and allow a man to hold the door open for us. You may not like to slow down, but it pays off. People laugh at me when I say this, but I am living it.      

Another point is attitude. Several weeks ago, a young lady told me that she began smiling more while on vacation last year. She went on to discuss the friendly people that she met. From what she could remember, this was the first time that so many people smiled at her. As a result of this experience, she changed her attitude. She was determined to not wear a frown anymore. Next, she noticed that more men were holding doors open for her. This lady made a sacrifice. She gave up her frown for a smile and look what happened?   
       

Know Your Place

As a little girl, I used to hear my mother, the late Rosa Lee Nelson, say, "Know your place". My mom was a graceful lady, who was quiet. She taught me what manners were. She also showed me how to be a lady. Yes, etiquette was a way of life for her. My mom's voice was soft, but she spoke clearly and you always heard what she had to say. My mom told you to do something once and you did it.

Looking back, I am thankful to my mother for developing a great child rearing strategy. I often think of those words, "Know your place." Her message was about knowing when to speak versus when not to speak. One of her goals was to help me to develop excellent listening skills. Her words have taught me how to:

• Be patient
• Be observant
• Share
• Be respectful
• Be confident

Today this message has become more meaningful to me as a professional. Knowing your place also means that our lives are divided by seasons. When I think of seasons, I think of the planting process of fruits and vegetables. There is a time to plant and there is a time for the harvest. I remember being a college student. There were days that I longed to be a graduate. I didn't think that graduation would ever come.  Now, after a lot of reading, listening to instructors, studying for tests, failing courses, retaking courses, going to tutoring, taking summer classes, and becoming a graduate student twice, I can say that I have been living my mother's words.

I love my life, because I have been able to embrace my failures. I am no longer afraid to fail, because I am no longer afraid to breathe out of my own lungs. I can forgive myself and keep moving. I do not live off of the opinions of others. I stand on the shoulders of determined individuals, who taught me not to waver. My mother wanted me to stay strong. She also wanted me to live a happy and productive life.       

Mommy, I know my place. I have learned to appreciate each season of my life. You embraced me as I was and you planted some wonderful seeds. I am discovering more about myself everyday. I know that no one will take what is mine if I remain focused. Thanks mommy. I will love you forever.