grey clouds
If you live in Michigan, you know that it has been weeks since the sun shined all day. It’s getting old, huh?
Of course, there are other clouds. The gray clouds of low moods and depression.
When I’m under these kind of clouds, it helps me to remember that like the clouds in the sky, moods are of a transient nature. We don’t necessarily need medication. We just need a break from the unrelenting clouds.
If I have a lot of mundane task to accomplish I kind of like gray clouds. Who wants to be stuck inside on a sunny day? So gray days can suit my purposes just fine.
If I’m already having a contemplative day, I might actually prefer clouds. I think you know what I mean. There’s something that appeals to us when the sky matches our mood. It’s like friends. When we’re in the dumps we usually seek friends who we know will try to match our moods in their manner of speech, and choice of words. We don’t need them to act depressed, of course, but we don’t want someone who acts too cheerful either.
cheerleading
That’s insulting.
Sometimes a pep talk is needed but not in a “rah, rah”cheerleader mode. I try to make sure I act appropriately as well when I’m the one listening.
I learned a valuable lesson from an experience a few years ago when I shared some good news of mine in a group setting. Someone in the group was having a particularly bad time of which I was unaware. I’m careful now how I share good news. I try to remember that while my dark clouds have moved for the time being, someone else’s clouds are just appearing. If he’d seen my past, he would have known I’ve had more than my fair share of dark clouds.
But if I’m feeling really down, I don’t want any gray clouds; I want the sun. I want something to interrupt my mood and cheer me up. I want something outside of me to do the work for me for a change.
sunshine
But I’ve learned if I keep putting one foot in front of the other, the Son eventually does break through. My mood gets better. I see things more clearly.
Sometimes all we have to do is look above us and wait for the sky to change.
sunshine 3
