8 Ways to Enjoy a Rainy Day

(NOTE: For those of you nowhere near Hysteria Lane, let me just begin by saying, "Yes, it's raining here." But I stopped worrying about rain in June when I stopped worrying about snow in May. It's all good.)

I think I read this in an Eckhart Tolle book, but I am not sure.

Something to the effect of, "Treat each situation as if you choose it."

In other words, when it rains, act as though you wanted it to rain.

When you gain 10 pounds, act as though you'd planned to gain 10 pounds.

When your puppy pees on the carpet, act as though you'd wanted him to do that. (Yes, only male puppies pee on carpet.)

Okay, maybe that last one is a little hard to "imagine."

BUT the point is, we get to choose how we feel about every given situation in our lives.

And while it may be impossible to imagine a time when you would WANT or CHOOSE some of life's crappy conditions, it's pretty incredible to see how different you feel when you just TRY to change your attitude toward something.

For example, as you've heard me lament before, the weather can kinda get on my nerves. (My name is Dawn for a reason--I channel the sun, people.)

Anyway, I have tried really hard to do this--"acting as though I choose the conditions"--and I have seen a noticeable difference in how I feel, think, and act.

It's pretty remarkable. (Dave, stop laughing. I notice a change.)

So, my challenge to you today:

Try to take just one event or condition in your life today and treat it "as though" you choose it yourself.

--When Netflix doesn't deliver that new movie you've been waiting for . . . act as though you didn't want the movie today anyway.

--When you get asked to speak in church . . . act as though you WANTED to speak in church (you were just dyin' for the opportunity and bam!).

--When your daughter pours slime all over the kitchen counter . . . act as though you like slime and were just hoping for a chance to play with it again.

Anyway, you get the idea.

Now, my point!

I really wanted it to rain today. It gives me a chance to do a few of these things:

Here are 8 Ways to Enjoy a Rainy Day

1. Have a movie marathon.

Go on, give yourself permission.

2. Complete a home-improvement project.
 (I'm reorganizing shelves.)

3. Bake a cake. 
(And put candles on it--cakes need candles. They feel naked otherwise.)

4. Take a long bath.

5. Clean out your car in the garage. 
(And watch the rain!)

6. Build a model car.
(I swear I did this as a kid. Mom? Sideways life or true?)

7. Have friends over/entertain. 
(Make Pioneer Woman's Jalepeno Bacon Wraps)

8. Go to a movie, art gallery, or bowling.

PS:

I know what your thinking, "Dawn, there are some conditions that are impossible to "act as though we chose them" (poverty, war, sickness, etc.)

I agree.

This isn't going to work in every situation. Just a lot of the day-to-day-nothing-major conditions.

It's still worth trying.