Sometimes it's hard to see the sun...

Sometimes the sun just doesn’t shine

It’s interesting. Last week we had an (uncharacteristically) part rainy week. 3 days of very off and on rain interspersed with sunshine and clouds. Didn’t matter how hard I tried to make the sun shine, it was simply beyond my abilities (for now!).

I had a friend over last week. She was remarkably philosophical about it. “Well”, she said, “it gives me an opportunity to do things I might not have done if I’d been on the beach all day”. Great attitude. And you know something, there are LOADS of things to do when the weather is misbehaving. It’s just a question of changing your perspective slightly. After all:

· You can still have a fab time

· You can still eat your bodyweight in baklava (I have been practising)

· You can still eat without having to wash up

· You can still sleep any time day or night (or day and night)

· You can still relax in beautiful surroundings

· You can still daydream (I’m a queen in this department)

· You’re still NOT at work

· You’re still NOT having to do the housework and change the sheets

All these things are true.

It’s just a question of attitude. And 9 times out of 10, the things that you came to sort out (am realising that everyone who comes on holiday has SOMETHING to sort out) get sorted out in your mind. Realisations are made, plans are cemented, decisions are arrived at.

I’m beginning to understand that when people say they want a holiday to lie in the sun and forget stuff that this isn’t always the case. Some people just need some distance (mentally and physically) from their lives at home in order to get some objectivity and you don’t necessarily need the sun to do this. Of course, it’s great when the sun shines and you ARE lying on a beach. But rain does not preclude a good time, neither do clouds. As unexpected as they may be, they offer hidden gifts and insights, we just have to open to them.

How many times have we believed that a certain set of circumstances is necessary in order for us to move forward and we await a ‘perfect’ opportunity? When in fact, sometimes we just need to make the most of now and find the opportunity in the circumstances that exist...

The obvious and rather parmesan flavoured comment to make about the (let me reiterate UNCHARACTERISTICALLY) unsettled weather is that it makes you relish the sun when it does make an appearance.

Rather than taking it for granted, it’s a gift.

Bit like life.

Enjoy.