“I think the game is going to get rained out tomorrow,” she said.
I quickly looked at the weather app.
30% chance of rain - and not even at the time of the little league game.
“I think we will be ok!” I said, cheerfully optimistic.
—
Several years ago, I coordinated a company team for Nashville’s American Heart Association Heart Walk. (Side note: who would know that my second born son would have a critical congenital heart defect and be the reason why so many walk). I worked closely with the director of Nashville AHA chapter and I remember distinctly her coming to our office the days before the walk making sure our team was ready to go. As she was leaving our office, she enthusiastically quelled any concerns about the weather:
“30% chance of rain means 70% chance of sunshine. I like those odds!”
What a perspective shift: it’s not only about weather but also about how we see life. Some people (guilty as charged here!) fret and worry and sweat all the small stuff. We give so much weight to the small percentage that we forget the larger majority of all the good.
I catch myself doing this all the time, especially after something marvelous.
“It was a great day BUT….”
“What a fun party BUT…”
“Loved everything about that BUT…”
Whether it happens before or after an event, it’s the BUTs that seem to stop us from enjoying the entire 70% of all the sunny goodness of a day.
There’s something attractive about the people who can constantly revel in the good. I am blessed with a few friends who do this; I marvel at their strength to not see the small cracks but the greater whole as wonderful. I strive to be like them.
—
I’m not sure if today’s game will be rained out. It did rain, but it has since stopped.
I’m increasingly hopeful there may be a bit of sun today. And if not, we will splash in the puddles.