Weather the Weather
In my mind weather should be one third mystery, one third miracle and one third meteorology. When we become disappointed with meteorologists because their forecast is not exact -I say ‘hmm mystery’ or when it snows a blizzard and only one to three inches were predicted I say “hmmm miracle.” And when they get it just right, I say, “meteorology.” I by no means want to take the mystery and the miracle out of life- have everything so predictable, anticipated and unsurprising. I want to wake up to the wonder. I want to await the miracle. So once in a while I’m just fine with the meteorologist getting it wrong. Science does not have to explain it all – I want to lean into the unexpected, be caught off guard by a snow squall, thrilled by a rainbow and drenched by passing shower.
Of course, of course, of course- meteorology serves an important purpose- to save lives, and property and anticipate danger. It is truly amazing to watch a storm approach the west coast and know how it will develop and head our way a week from now. And in the tropics following a tropical depression form weeks away and having a good idea of where it is heading. Will there be .25 inches of rain or .50? Will the wind be 20 miles per hour or 25? Will the snow start at 9 AM or 9:30? It’s amazing how exacting this science has become.
I realize how important it is this day and age to have time to prepare. But how and why do we think that the meteorologists should have no margin of error when weather can, and maybe should be, full of surprises? Is it all an effort to tame our world-not to let the mystery and miracle in- ‘just the facts ma’am’. Many of you have probably read this anonymous quote-
“We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don’t believe in miracles?”
Life takes on a fresh coat of paint when we welcome the surprises and celebrate the wonder-let life’s forecast tousle you around a bit. Live into the elements- take a walk in the rain-watch the snow fall with the same joy as when you were a kid waiting for a snow day. How is it that each snowy crystal is different and that something so beautiful falls from the sky -and know that we too are all part of this same miracle.
Life can be as predictable and mundane as we make it, it can also be peaceful, joyful, adventurous, slow, quiet, soft, gentle, wild, fun, uplifting, confusing, loud, noisy, active, sedentary …sometimes that’s decided for us and other times we get to decide-how do you want to live-how do you want this one precious life to be? Mystery? Miracle? Or Meteorology?