Usually, and unlike Karen Carpenter, I really enjoy rainy days and Mondays.

Rainy days are the perfect excuse to use my favorite red raincoat (the only one I have) or to stay at home, in bed, watching movies.

Mondays for me are the most energetic and productive day of the week. I’m still on the effects of the weekend energy boost and there is always some news from friends or colleagues.

But, these last days have been a little bit different, because I know that when it rains in Mexico City, other cities closer to the coast are dealing with the devastation of a hurricane. The image of my cozy bed and my bowl full of popcorn is over powered by the thought of our fellow Mexicans in Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Nuevo León whose houses have been destroyed by hurricane Alex. My 80 year-old grandmother lives in Monterrey and Mari, the woman that helps her, cant cross the current overflowed roads.

Someone told me that on the optimistic side, rain was a way for God to clean all the bad and leave us renewed. I could not agree less. I think that rain is a way for your God or Godess, Mother Nature or Pachamama to communicate with you and to ask you to talk to yourself and ponder on: What are you grateful for? Where can you help the most? Who can you tend? Who do you remember? Who do you Love?

The response to our cities in distress has been overwhelming. Not only from Mexico City, but from other countries we have received nothing but help and solidarity. All of a sudden, people from all around the world have become a huge umbrella, safe strong and inspiring.

After asking and answering to myself I can’t help but look out the office window and realize that it is not about the cleaning of the past, or the purifying of the bad; it’s about the present and the undeniable chance of practicing gratitude, solidarity and love. It’s about what you learn from the storm and the optimistic multi-layered and multi-colored view that you give to the world.

Be the rainbow of my day and share your opinions in the comment section below.

See more posts by Emma Sifuentes

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