Driving in The Rain
Greetings lovely one,
I like to go on casual drives with no particular destination in mind. I frequently go when I feel a little blah or when I’m trying not to work but can’t think of any one thing to do. I also take these drives when trying to escape a feeling I can’t quite name, often because it’s a culmination of many different emotions I hadn’t yet processed. And it’s fun! I am definitely one of those people who has mini-concerts in the car.
Still, as much as I enjoy the open road, the scenery around me, the feelings of freedom I get from travel, I don’t consider driving a spiritual practice that centers me, not with all the dodging of potholes and other drivers who can’t seem to stay in their own lanes. However, I never fail to see something interesting enough to distract thoughts away from my frustration with all that is horrible in the world, or at the very least, away from self-absorbed internal chatter.
On this day, I didn’t have a strong urge for a spontaneous ride away from the mundane. For weeks, my mind was set on taking the scenic route to somewhere (anywhere) since I had a day off and just wanted the release. I was looking forward to taking a long drive and randomly discovering some charming bakery that served yummy pastries along the way. I woke before my alarm clock to a downpour of rain and a forecast of daylong thunderstorms that would last into the evening. Joy!
After slight hesitation, my inner rebel decided I would still take my drive in the rain. I love the feel of light rain in the summer, and the aroma of rain to greenery and soil; its unique blend of earthy goodness is often a balm to my soul on a not-too-hot, not-too-cold day.
But who was I kidding? I couldn’t savor those things from my metal enclosure with hot wheels beating on slippery concrete roads. I didn’t get far before the flooding, construction barricades, and the prospect of hydroplaning changed my mind. The closer I drove to the interstate highway, the more wild the rain. “OK, Lord, perhaps today is a ‘be still’ kinda day,” I thought to myself as I headed back home to deal with the feelings I apparently couldn’t drive away from.
And that’s when I saw them.
First, a pair off the side of the highway picking flowers and taking selfies. In the torrential downpour, there is no actual sidewalk for protection. Then, as I continued homeward bound, I saw a young man in bright blue shorts and sneakers — casually jogging down the street — as if the sun was dancing on his shoulders and its blazing heat was too unbearable for even a tank top. But the sun hadn’t come out to play, the sky was cloudy and gray. It was gloomy and messy, and the sidewalk was full of puddles … why were any of us out there if we didn’t need to be? I had so many questions!
And I wondered if there was some profound message or hidden meaning at the core of my driving in the rain before I decided that I better count my blessings that I didn’t get in a car accident or worse.
Sometimes, things aren’t that deep. I tend to overthink and, as a result, skip right past the obvious sign and answer. Perhaps this is a survival mechanism. Perhaps it’s how I process an unjust and unfair world. Many times, I have sat with hurtful actions and malicious words and questioned what I did to be on the receiving end. Victim blaming is all too common in our society, and enough of it can drive one mad. There have been too many times when I have gone over harmful events, wondering about what I should have said differently or how I should have shown up differently until I realized I was projecting onto myself someone else’s hurt … my body is not an apology. (H/t Sonya Renee Taylor.)
Dear reader, your existence is not an apology.
Sometimes, we just have to call a spade a spade. Domestic violence is domestic violence. There is no justification. War (what is it good for?) is War (absolutely nothing). A toxic workplace culture is a toxic workplace culture. A community conducting year-long discussions about how they should do better to make spaces welcoming to those who sit on the margins but prioritizes the feelings of their own comfort over the “uncomfortability” of the marginalized is, in fact, an unwelcoming community to anyone who isn’t like them. Thinly veiled racism, sexism, and bias is racism, sexism, and bias. Hate begets hate … violence begets violence.
And driving in the rain, burning out my gas (that costs too much money), holding my breath because Mr. Kelly’s doppelganger chose to sing in the rain while jay jogging — while hoping he doesn’t step in front of Miss Daisy’s non-driving self — is a reminder to get my tires and brakes checked, and also, to stay home when there are thunderbolts and lighting … taking heed to the very sound wisdom of “Be still and know” I had received from three completely unrelated sources the day before.
Peace, Love, and Wellness,
Lynette
(More formally, Sister Lynette Davis, SFCC, but feel free to call me Lyn)
P.S. I’m hosting a soul-care retreat in picturesque Western Massachusetts, with its beautiful mountain and river valley views. New England in the fall is absolutely gorgeous, and I’d love to create a place of possibility with you.
Registration Closes on June 15th so be sure to sign up today!
Learn more and register today!
Thanks for reading! Care to share the love?
Pass Take What You Need on to a colleague/friend/someone you think would enjoy, and share widely.
Get access to new posts and other treasures in your inbox. Hit that subscribe button below!
What’s the Buzz? Here’s what’s happening
Coming up: Excited to join the online Illuminate Summer Speaker Series hosted by Pendle Hill with Barclay Press. This series will take place on select Monday evenings from June through August with fellow authors of “Illuminate: Psalms,” a recent publication in the Barclay Press Illuminate Friends Bible Study Series. We will share insights from our studies as we prepared the lessons and “Friendly Perspectives” in this series. Each night will feature a different book with different presenting authors. See the full schedule and reserve your virtual seat at: https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2024/
Available now: I’m a contributing writer to the latest edition of “Illuminate” — the only Bible study curriculum written by Friends (Quakers). Faith groups and communities all over the U.S. and some in other countries will be using this study guide in June, July, and August. So can you! Purchase a print or digital copy of Illuminate here: https://barclaypress.corecommerce.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-Ezekiel-Daniel.html
Take a listen: I was recently interviewed on QuakerSpeak, a Quaker video project by Friends Journal. Here, I share my understanding of the relationship between spirituality and creativity.
Ongoing: I’m co-creating stigma-crushing, mental health awareness merch for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Wear your support!
Click the image below to go to the store.
Community Member Kudos: Last Call to join GW4W at their second annual Think Tank and Unsummit Summit. If you’ve been looking for a platform for sharing insights and building a network of like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in Women’s Health and Wellbeing … this is it! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gw4w-think-tank-and-unsummit-summit-tickets-752963583347?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tales from the blog keepers
Quakers, Spirituality, and Mental Health
On Mental Wellness, Work, Religion, and Balance an interview w/ Dr. Tiffany Jenkins, LCADC, LPC (who just published a new book on mental health and faith!)
Embracing May: Let’s Talk Mental Health
Muse of the month
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
Be still, and know that I am God!
Psalm 46: 1, 9-10
Blerd’s the word
Cloudie McDoom posted this some time back, and I forgot to share it. For those keeping up, I’ve posted No.’s 1 and 2 so I gotta post Old School Anime Intro No. 3 enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/reel/458619533501027