Kiss The Rain

(Updated)

Rain – it falls, it flows, it floods, it cleanses.

It's been raining for days now and the murky rivers from nowhere gush out time and again to rid the streets of its familiar garbage and stench. The roaches and rats scamper to ride out the waves, hoping to settle in a more stable spot not too far away from home. While the children – bless them— gleefully run through the showers, shirtless or bare-assed, oblivious to it all. Perhaps, like them, it’s also time for us to let go or unload. For weather – we like it or not – is apparently wet enough to wash away not only the city’s dirt, but yesterday’s baggage as well.

Ah, rain. Never mind that we sometimes get stuck in our work towers and miss that all-too important after dinner cocktail at the mall. Never mind that for the nth time, we might be missing out on our regular jogging session at the Big Oval (yeah, blame it on the rain). And never mind, that once more, our all-too-white pants will get drenched… for even now that it’s raining more than ever, we still refuse to be bothered by Rihanna’s umbrella, right Ella? Ella, ey, ey, ey…

Anyway, before that song carries me away, the point is—the season of cleansing has come. And that is enough to forgive the little (or even major) inconveniences for a taste of a much awaited change.

If we’re open to it, this season could mark an exciting moment in our lives. Perhaps, for those of us who’ve been floating for awhile, it’s time to finally learn how to swim or paddle forward. Or, like children, we can see this as the perfect opportunity to shed our tight dress of boring routines and depression, and go make a splash in the world.

For some of us, it’s the season to crossover. Despite economic forecasts, what lies ahead in 2011 may be as blurry as the sight of a world overcome by sheets of rain. Sometimes, it chills the bone to think of crossing unknown seas just to get to a land that promises nothing more than the probability of a much more fulfilled life. Perhaps it's better, perhaps not. But then, if we don’t find the courage to decide our course, the incessant wondering about it might also be enough to drown us.

So let’s move on ... in hope and with much faith. One thing I've learned from a mentor is that the best way to learn how to swim is not by testing the waters with your toes, but simply, to dive. So come what may, let’s forge the life that we were meant to live. And like the rain, let’s learn how to spit and claw till the fear and blocks cower away to nothingness.

Ah, rain – for better or worse, it molds us. If we don’t fight it too much, we might be blessed and even find some of our best moments in the rain -- shooting balls with a friend, raging against storms, splashing like a kid at the City Sports Complex, playing tag with a cute crush or simply walking home while daydreaming with a rain-battered ice cream cone on hand.

Be it raindrops on roses or rainbows in the skies, the season is here to signal that something fresh and new is coming. Oh, to embrace it, to sing and dance in the rain for the meantime—what a glorious feeling indeed to be happy again.

--SunStar Weekend, 29 January 2011