By Noeline Kirabo

I am a structured person and often prefer to be in charge of situations. I like it more when I am in control than when I feel like a victim of circumstances. I love to plan my week ahead of time and schedule all my activities in the way I desire to execute them. Disaster is when things don’t go according to plan due to unavoidable circumstances such as changes in the weather.

It’s rainy season here in Uganda and can’t help but dread the mud and mess that comes with the rains. I am one of those people who prefer the sunny season to the rainy one. Basically I don’t mind sweating, but I definitely have a problem with coldness and trying to stay warm in such weather. Even the thought of rain is sometimes disturbing.

This rainy season, I have decided to look on the brighter side of life.  I am choosing to focus on the positive benefits of the rains, such as green vegetation that is therapeutic in itself, abundance of vegetables at very affordable prices, no dust, harvested rain water which leads to low water bills among others. The more I focus on finding the positives, the longer my list is growing and the more comfortable I am becoming with the increasing down pours.

The same applies to the storms of life:  whatever we focus on, grows. It’s all about perspective and that’s what makes the difference. You can choose to see the glass as half full or half empty. There’s a silver lining in every storm.  There’s a seed of opportunity in every challenge. There’s beauty in every storm. When you look for the good in every situation, you’re bound to enjoy every season of your life. When you change your perspective, you change your life.

Often times our biggest life storms will form and refine us. Strength is mastered only when there is resistance. Growth only comes when we allow ourselves to grow amidst our toughest challenges. Precious stones are refined in fire to bring out the best in them and the same is true for us. When you encounter hardships, consider that an opportunity to grow and become better. No experience is ever wasted if you’re intentional about learning, growing and becoming better.

Before you curse the storm, embrace the beauty there in. Sing in the rain, dance in the storm and the sun in your heart will never grow dim.