"A sudden concentration of attention on a rainy August morning. Clusters of bright red berries, some wrinkled, some blemished, others perfect, hanging among green leaves. The experience could not have lasted more than a few seconds, but that was a moment out of time. I was caught up in what I saw: I became a part of it: the berries, the leaves, the raindrops and I, we were all of a piece. A moment of beauty and harmony and meaning. A moment of understanding."
I like rain for many reasons. As a gardener and natural scientist I’m grateful for the watering of plants and the refilling of aquifers. I like listening to the sounds it makes against the windows when I’m inside – preferably with a cup of coffee and a good book.
However, I also love going out afterwards, walking through a brighter world now that the sun has reappeared, breathing in the petrichor and ozone.
Somehow, knowing the rain has gone acts as an invitation to get outside.
Puddles are a place of fascination, especially whenever I’m walking with smaller people. I find they’re equally fascinated by raindrops on berries, or bejewelled spider webs, or whatever we discover as we venture outside to explore.
I try to keep that state of curiosity and open-mindedness during walks. It slows me down, but brings me such beauty and joy. Always grateful for the excuse to not just rush onward to the next thing.
Wendrie Heywood
Founder
Mindful Business Services (MBS) is a family-owned private limited company that focuses on serving, not fixing or helping. We love helping people get things done to have more time for the fun things in life…
