“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact.
Everything we see is perspective, not the truth.”
Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor
We live in Ohio. Our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live in California. In order to feel connected, I watch the KTLA newscast live streaming on the internet from Los Angeles. So part of my day begins with the friendly hijinks of Henry Di Carlo, the early morning weatherman. Earthquakes, fires, and mudslides. With a little help from the rest of the news anchors, Henry handles the bad news with compassion and concern. If the forecast is bright, Henry is a lot of fun to be around. However, it seems to me that, when choosing to have a good day or a bay day, a whole lot of people give their power to decide away to folks like Henry.
From a young child and all along the way to the 66 years I am now, I have come to expect the weather to be a conversation starter with just about anyone I’m chatting with. For some people; It’s too hot or too cold, there is too much rain or not enough rain. The frost is too early or the frost is too late – Either way we’re screwed. And so it goes.
But my favorite kind of people to chum with are the folks who know where to find an umbrella, a raincoat, rowboat, surf board, sun glasses, or a pair of snowshoes. Maybe they can’t do anything about the weather but they can make some attitude adjustments.
Once upon a time there was a flood. And as floods go, it was pretty bad. The rain kept coming down and the water was rising fast. People started gathering on the roof of one house and waited to be rescued. They soon became fascinated with a hat going back and forth in the water. Finally a little old lady stood up and said, “Don’t worry about that hat. It’s my husband. He said that today, come hell or high water, he was going to mow the grass.”
“Each of us makes his own weather, determines the color of the skies in the emotional universe which he inhabits.”
Bishop Fulton Sheen, theologian
We need Henry Di Carlo and all the other weather watchers. We need their help in planning what to wear and figuring how long it will take us to get to work. We don’t need their help in deciding what to think. In fact, the weather can come along and take everything material thing you own – your house, your car, your swing set and your George Foreman grill. Guess what, you’re still the proud owner of your attitude. And we still have each other.
“Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smiling until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we’re together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, until we meet again.”
Dale Evans and Roy Rogers
theartofbecomingawildflower 