Years ago on a grey, foggy morning, I headed to the airport. The Sacramento area had been blanketed with overcast skies and fog for days. While I don't suffer with seasonal affective disorder, I couldn't help but feel as dreary as the morning that day. In my glum mood, I checked my bag, passed through security, waited at the gate, and boarded the plane.
I love to fly. I especially love the take-offs. The changing perspective of watching my every day world fade out to look like a child's play set, seeing all the tiny vehicles, homes, and workplaces, and the thought of all those people living out all the different stories of their varied lives always gets to me.
That time, like every other time, I gazed out the window during take-off. But that morning was touched by disappointment in knowing I wouldn't be able to see my beloved view due to the clouds. I sighed as we increased in elevation and were even more fully engulfed by the gloom.
I wasn't prepared for what happened seconds later.
Suddenly, this was my view.
(This nowhere near does it justice.)
In an instant my world turned from dull grey to brilliant sunshine, bright blue sky, and white fluffy clouds as far as the eye could see. It was stunning! My spirits instantly brightened with all that beauty and light. I was amazed that the dismal scene below and this glorious sight were separated by what amounted to a few feet. I was struck by the idea that all those people down below likely had no thought or awareness that this existed so close by - just beyond their sight.
What I thought would be a blah day suddenly turned beautiful. But the day hadn't changed at all. Only my view of it had. The uplifting light had been there all along - just feet above me. I just couldn't see it from where I was.
I've gone back to this experience countless times in the decades since it happened. Whenever I'm facing a difficult challenge or feeling discouraged or uninspired, I remind myself that blue skies and sunshine aren't far away - even if I can't see them at that moment. They're just on the other side of my cloud bank, so to speak. Although I may not be boarding a plane to take me up to where they are, I'm comforted by knowing they're there.
Applying this story to today
We may feel like we're stuck in a foggy day right now. In an effort to help us see past the clouds and catch a glimpse of the gorgeous sunlight, I have an invitation for you. Starting today, I invite you to join me in daily doing and then sharing at least one act of service, one kindness, no matter how small. Serving and being kind not only brighten the world, they help us get outside of ourselves and our own situations. At a time when it's easy to turn inward, they help to look outward.
Normally, I'm all about serving quietly, but for the time being, I feel that sharing what we're doing can poke holes in the 'cloud cover' and let in some light. It can also give other people simple ideas of what they might be able to do when they may be feeling pretty powerless in the face of this pandemic. Are my small acts of service and kindness going to cure COVID 19? Nope. Are they even going to save one person? Highly doubtful. But they will lighten the load of someone and what more could I ask for in my own little circle of influence?
I'll be posting daily on Facebook and Instagram daily and invite you to share what you're doing on my feeds and your own feeds, too. Let's brighten this world and clear out some of this fog!
You can find me
on Facebook at Nourishing Body & Soul and
on Instagram at tlastle