"The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God - if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think."
~ Maya Angelou
This seems like a beautiful and potentially powerful way to prepare for a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, a Bright New Year and for all holidays, holy-days, and ordinary days, during times of calm and times of conflict. For peace and a better world.
Driving to an appointment yesterday, while I was stopped at a light, a young woman crossed in front of me. The way she walked and her whole
appearance seemed reckless, careless, sloppy, and slovenly. I confess that my first reaction was to judge her. You may have sensed that from how I described her.
Fortunately, I soon saw what I was doing and felt remorse. Then I recognized that the sloppiness I saw in her was a reflection of sloppiness in me and how I reject that in myself.
To get to the point and relate this to
today's quote, I then recognized that I could respond differently. And just by making room for that, I suddenly felt love for that young woman who seemed to be in a dark cloud. I felt related to her, connected with her. She'll never know that someone waiting in a car while she crossed sent her waves of love and best wishes. But I did. And I plan to keep her in my thoughts and prayers now and then.
The possible ways we can be
a rainbow in someone else's cloud are countless.
As we prepare for our holiday celebrations and a new year, let's consider imprinting Maya Angelou's quote on our hearts.
May our minds remember the words:
Prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud.
May our souls show us
how.
Starting today, let's aim to be a rainbow in at least one person's cloud each day. Someone like us, someone seemingly very different. Someone we know, someone we don't.
Let's just prepare ourselves by opening our hearts, asking for guidance, listening, and following through.
Imagine the joy. Can you sense the beauty?
Are you in?
With love and both feet,
Charlene
PS - The arch of a rainbow is today's doorway. Just two more on this Advent Calendar.
PPS - Please consider sending your own wave of love to that young woman.
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