This past weekend, I got to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I was reminded of the power we have when we come together as a community to support one another. A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post about the opportunity I had to participate in a “More than Pink Walk”. I shared some memories of ways that breast cancer has touched my life, and I was looking forward to gathering with other people who had been affected, in one way or another, with this disease. Knowing full well that not every story has a happy ending, I was amazed with the energy and positivity I encountered as I made my way to the registration / check-in tent on Saturday morning.
The sun was just coming up over the tops of the mountains as I made my way down the hill toward the walk starting line. It was chilly out, and people were gathered together in groups – many huddled around outdoor heaters. I saw teams dedicated to current patients, survivors, and friends and family of those that have lost the battle with breast cancer. Despite the difficult focus of the day’s events, the air was filled with hope, laughter, and encouragement. As human beings, we all need to feel like we matter to somebody else. And despite what the local news would often have us believe, most of us want to help each other when life takes an unexpected and unwanted turn.
All of us have times in our life when we face challenges. In fact, it could be said that if you’re not struggling with something right now, just wait, because you will be soon. Often the things we struggle with are not visible or obvious, but they are there nonetheless. As I walked my lap around the track, I thought about people in my life that have overcome hard things, and the admiration I have for those that face hard things with a positive attitude. None of us makes it through our challenges on our own. We need each other to lift and support us, and sometimes we need the feeling of purpose that comes as we work to lift and support someone else.
By the time I made it back to the starting point, the sun was shining, and we were well on our way to having a beautiful Fall day. I was reminded that dark times don’t last forever, the sun always comes back up, and beautiful days await us as we continue to move forward. As I was walking, I noticed a lady pulling a wagon with a sign that said:
“When it Rains
Look for Rainbows
When it’s Dark
Look for the Stars”
I think that sums up the lessons I learned from this experience. No matter how dark things seem, there is always something good to find. Sometimes that good comes after the storm, as is the case with a rainbow. Other times the good is made up of little things that have a way of guiding us, and encouraging us to keep our chins up. Often, we are surrounded by both. We just need to take the time to look for them.
Here’s to each of you, and the ability you have to do hard things and overcome challenges. No matter what you may be facing, you are not alone. You may not be surrounded by thousands of people waving flags and cheering you on, but if you look for the rainbows and the stars in your life, you will find them.
This post is sponsored by Valpak
