THE RAINBOW BEHIND THE CLOUDS
It is an absolutely perfect day. The sun is shining and warm
breezes gently cross our path. The sweet sound of chirping birds
fills the air and the gentle lapping water on the lake adds to
the total "perfect" picture.
But there are a few clouds that are determined to continue
coming and the closer they get the more ominous they appear. The
warm breezes turn into chilling wind and the birds have turned
silent. The water now swirls and the sun has been obliterated by
these menacing clouds.
We take shelter and decide to enjoy a hot cup of tea or perhaps
coffee. We build a fire in the fireplace and pick up that novel
we always wanted to read. A warm coverlet covers our legs and we
snuggle into a soft, leather chair. We will weather out the
storm and wait for it to pass.The windows are pelted with rain
and the sound of thunder shakes our little cottage. Somehow we
have relaxed to the point that we have fallen asleep.
We awake to total quiet. The fire has died and the sun is
filling the room, streaming through the windows. We jump up and
throw open the door. And there it is - the most beautiful
rainbow that you could imagine. The colors are vivid and range
from pinks, purples, and blues to green, yellow, and hues we
can't even put a name to. The air is sweet with the smell of
fresh rain and the birds are again filling the air with sound.
Everything is calm and breathtaking in its beauty. We are
enthralled by the rainbow and can't take our eyes off of it. It
arcs over the lake and we dream about that pot of gold at the
end of it. We are glad to be alive and feel stronger for having
weathered the storm. We feel more confident, somehow, as well as
more appreciative for all the storms in our lives that bring the
rainbows.
You write the book or article and then are so very pleased with
what you have created. You proudly send it in and wait for the
accolades. Instead the rejections come and hope fades, but don't
let it. Weather out your storms, relax in knowing that someone
will appreciate your efforts, but perhaps you will have to take
cover and wait. When you can throw open the doors of the bright
world of being a writer, you will see the rainbow and the colors
will embrace you. The pot at the end of that beautiful rainbow
will be your book or article in print and you will be more
confident next time, and face that next storm, as surely as they
will come, but never go down to the demoralizing pits of
self-pity and worse yet, total abandonment. The rainbows are out
waiting in the wings, and the stronger the gales that blow with
each storm, the more welcome is that expanse of wonder and
delight that represents the myriad of people you will touch
through your writing and the knowledge you share. So go in and
have that cup of coffee, relax in front of the fire, and wait
out the storm. Anticipation of that rainbow will make it all
worth your while. You will also notice that with each passing
turbulance, the colors seem deeper and more penetrating. Wishing
you the strength to weather the storm and welcome the rainbows.