I am genuinely fascinated by memory, by how something from the distant past comes to mind for no obvious reason – a special moment, a long-forgotten experience. Sometimes, when this happens, I wonder why the memory came and if it holds a new lesson for me.
Many years ago, my Mom was driving my brother and me home from a visit to my grandmother’s house. Suddenly, the car moved into a sheet of pouring rain. I heard the rain before I saw it hitting the hood of the car and then the windshield. But looking out the side window from the backseat, there was no rain and the window was totally dry. I was amazed and asked my Mom how that was possible. Her answer was simple, “The rain has to stop somewhere.” It was the perfect response to a four-year-old girl, and I realized that it wasn’t raining EVERYWHERE just because it was raining here.
In recent months, I have felt like I was driving into another kind of storm, a collective fear and anger that is wreaking havoc in many lives. And while fear and anger do not exist everywhere, they are more and more evident in our day-to-day lives. And they have to stop somewhere, so I choose to have them stop with me. I commit to being kinder, more compassionate, more caring. I commit to recognizing the light in all people, and focusing on the ways in which they are similar to me rather than on our differences. And in the rainstorms of life, I commit to focusing on love rather than fear, and to being deeply grateful to everyone who strives to be the best possible person she or he can be.
Photo Credit: Dave Burwell Photography
Thank you for your voice of love and compassion, Sharon. In the past few months, I’ve been experiencing waves of paranoia and fear, and I long to return to my deeply rooted belief in mankinds love and compassion. Voices like yours help me hold on to that and point me back in the right direction. Wishing you and your family a warm, loving and grateful Thanksgiving. Hugs xo
Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts, Claudia, and for the warm wishes. I, too, believe with all my heart that people have enormous potential for love and compassion, and that is our default when we can let go of our fear. You bring much light and hope to the world, and I am so deeply grateful to and for you!
With much love & a big hug,
Sharon
Sharon,
As always I am moved and inspired by your written word….we all need to take individual responsibility if only in our own little world. My own family has been deeply divided by this last election and it is breaking my heart to see the hurt and emotion caused by those not really thinking about the mpact of their words before they speak… I pray for the wisdom to find a solution and be the position of peacemaker , help heal the hurt and try my best to bring them all together in love once again….on another note , I don’t know how u can be anymore patient, understanding or compassionate then you already are on a day to day basis!! Happy Thanksgiving I know it is your fav holiday! Love u
Many thanks, Denise, for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. I love your comment that “we all need to take individual responsibility, if only in our own little world.” Sometimes we forget that we each touch many, many lives and choosing love and compassion affects more people than we realize.
Yes, I love a holiday that focused on gratitude, family and dear friends. I hope you and those you love have a healing Thanksgiving.
With much love & a big hug,
Sharon
Your thoughts always arrive at just the right time on just the right topic. Couldn’t agree more – at least we can control our own attitudes and approach – kindness, compassion, warmth – you exude it and I hope I can remember to do so as well. Grateful for you and your writing. Love, Lisa
Thanks very much for taking the time to share your perspective, Lisa. I know that you support, encourage and inspire so many people, and your love and compassion affects many lives, including mine.
With much love, gratitude & a big hug,
Sharon
Thank you Sharon!
As always, your posts come at just the right time with just the right message. The “voice of reason” is so important to to share during these trying times- it’s just a challenge to find it! “The rain has to stop somewhere” is a wonderful metaphor and I thank you for sharing it. As the holiday season approaches, I will remind myself to count my blessings which is so easy to forget to do but “oh-so-necessary”.
Happy “Thanks”-giving.
Gina
So grateful to you for sharing your thoughts, Gina, and for reminding us to count our blessings during the holiday season…and every day. I love your point that gratitude is a necessity in our lives. Thank you!
With much love & a big hug,
Sharon
WE HAVE TO DO OUR SHARE AND MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE
HUGS
Thank you very much, Ramona, for your “call to action.” I am ready to do my part!
With much love & a big hug,
Sharon
Thank you for sharing this story and for the positive way you express what so many are feeling.
Thank you so very much for taking the time comment, Janet. You are an inspiring example of sharing your love and compassion with many.
With much love, gratitude & a big hug,
Sharon
Dear Sharon,
Your message arrived at a perfect time. Fear can paralyze us and anger can take away the best of us, but as human beings we just react to unexpected events in our lives. Your message is powerful and so valuable. Yes, “The rain has to stop somewhere.”
I admire your wisdom and kindness.
Love,
Hilda
Dear Hilda, thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts. I love your words “anger can take away the best of us.” It is so true. I admire YOUR wisdom and kindness, too!
With much love, gratitude & a big hug,
Sharon
Thank you for inspiring us, Sharon! Here’s a quote from Mother Teresa to reinforce what you said.”Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
And on a thanksgiving note, I’m grateful to know you!
Enjoy!
Claudia
How wonderful to hear from you, Claudia. Thank you so much for taking the time to share Mother Theresa’s beautiful words. Such an opportunity for us to spread love wherever we go, especially now.
I am grateful to know you, too, and send much love & a big hug,
Sharon
Thank you, Sharon, for this desperately needed salve for my soul.
It’s become very difficult for me to open emails from even my closest friends lately. The fear is palpable, and it seems to only be getting worse. I am encouraged by your advice so beautifullly expressed here.
I commit to love as well. Thank you for reminding me that love always prevails.
Sending a hug,
Kate
Kate, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. Yes, we share the belief that love always prevails, and we can choose to BE love in our day-to-day life.
Sending a big hug and much love,
Sharon
Thank you Sharon! I am thankful for you.. and your uncanny ability to send the right message into the universe just when it is needed most. It is such an unsettling time – for the US and in world. It does have to stop somewhere – lasting wise words from your mom!
xoxo Susan
Thanks very much for your comments, Susan. I know you make a big difference in the world by sharing your love and compassion, and I am grateful to you for this.
With much love & a big hug,
Sharon
Thank you, Sharon… this sprung to mind on reading… sharing… Peace.
Be the change,
Be the umbrella in their storm;
Be the silver lining in their cloud,
And when it rains go out and dance,
Shine the light that is you – out loud!
Thank you so very much for sharing this beautiful poem, and for all you do to bring inspiration, love and light to the world. I am deeply grateful to you.
With love, respect and gratitude,
Sharon
Sharon, ‘Thank you’ for choosing Love and inviting all of us to Love uniquely.
Much appreciation and Love for you, Joan
Many, many thanks for your comment, Joan, and for tirelessly encouraging the world to choose love. You are an inspiration to us all.
With love, gratitude and a big hug,
Sharon
Sharon, ‘Thank you’ for choosing Love and inviting all of us to Love uniquely.
Love you, Joan
Thanks for your story, your good thoughts, for sharing and caring. Those of us who believe, and act like, it is possible to replace anger with forgiveness and love, to replace fear with faith and hope and to replace darkness with light can help stop the negative and destructive and install the positive and productive as an alternative. All the best to you as you continue to spread these very good words, and actions.
Thank you so very much for reading this post, Gary, and for taking the time comment. I am happy to join you and so many others who are committed to focusing on love, forgiveness, hope, faith, light and positivity. Together, we can help make this a better, more loving and compassionate world.
With much love & a big hug,
Sharon
Sharon, this is a tremendous, well written article. Thank you for sharing it with #IAmChoosingLove and with a world that needs a lot more kindness and love. I just retweeted and shared it on my Janet Nestor facebook page.
Thank you so very much, Janet, for taking the time to write this comment and for sharing this post. I am inspired by you and by Joan Kappes, and your tireless commitment to making this world a more loving place. I am happy to support the #IAmChoosingLove initiative, knowing that we love is always a choice.
With love and a big, grateful hug,
Sharon