Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Take a Break: Find the Rainbow in Your Clouds

The poet, writer, teacher, speaker and all around Renaissance woman, Maya Angelou often sings during her presentations the lyrics from a 19th Century Slave Song. “When it looked like the sun wasn’t going to shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the clouds.” According to Angelou “God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us—in the dreariest and most dreaded moments—can see a possibility of hope.”

Sometimes the rainbow is a person that helps us when we are most in need. Other times it’s what appears to be a dreadful situation turning out to have very positive consequence. As I write this, I’m reminded of a friend that had gone through quite an ordeal helping to care for a dying parent. Not long after, her child received a chronic disease diagnosis. In talking with her, she noted that life had a way of working out and that she could already see some benefits to her child’s diagnosis. In short, in spite of what appeared to be a very dark cloud, she identified a rainbow.

Today’s “take a break” is not only about identifying the various rainbow(s) that have been or are part of your life, but to enjoy the various works of Maya Angelou. Watch videos of her; read her poetry or borrow one of her books from your local library.

No comments:

Post a Comment