Light Peeks Through & Shines After A Storm

Light Peeks Through & Shines After A Storm

I can speak as a teacher, as a researcher or from the heart.

Today it will be from the heart.

With current circumstances of friends, loved ones, and worldly trials, my heart is taking over versus my strategic intellectual mind. And I am okay with that.

A poem I wrote a while back keeps coming up to the surface for me this week.

So…

Today I want to share a poem I wrote about five years ago titled, Surviving the Storm.

A storm can be destructive and tragic, leaving a feeling of confusion and hurt. Many times, it takes us getting through a storm before we feel any light upon us.

About three years ago was the first time I had ever read any of my poetry aloud. I was visiting a colleague’s class and at the end of the class, students asked me questions related to my experiences in sport and recreation.

One student asked if I would share some of my other interests. I stated that I love to write poetry and I enjoy free writing (simply whatever comes to mind I like to let it fall all over the page or in the notes section of my iPhone).

After I answered the question my colleague asked, “Will you share one of your poems with us?” I hesitated at first; in my head, I thought hmmmm, is this a good idea.

I eventually agreed and began to read the poem from the notes on my iPhone…

Surviving the Storm

Flat, silky blanket, gliding my boat across the wide open water way
There is silence, and along the horizon there is no land in sight
Swirls of clouds cover the sky, where is the sun my guiding light
Lost at sea, which way do I begin to paddle

A brisk wind brushes my cheek, cooling down from the summer heat
In the distance intense strikes of light split through the darkest of clouds
A stillness surrounds my boat, reality strikes like the next shot of lightning, I am alone
As tears travel down my face the sky sobs along with me, letting go after holding on for so long

My boat sways from side to side as the waves begin to grow in size
Anxiety intensifies as my heart pounds and I try to distinguish perspiration from tears
I quickly pull down the sail so that it is not torn by the violent wind that has engulfed me
The waves crash into the vessel as I hang on for dear life

Every experience throughout my life flashes before my eyes
Could this be it, will I drown here in the loneliness never to truly be discovered
I feel my forearms tightening and my fingers are trying so hard not to let go
Can I hold on a little longer before I give up and sink to the graveyard where there are no survivors

I am tired, my strength is giving way
Collapsing to the wooden floor as my head is struck by the bough
This is it, it is over, no more holding on or fighting, I'm done
Waves crash over my tired soul knocking it this way and that way

A light so bright shines on me with a heat that strikes my face, I cannot see
Opening my mouth, licking my lips for moisture I become thirsty by the taste of the salt
My lids flicker and I slowly move wondering if I made it to the other side
Noticing the calm water to my left and right, I am still alive

Storms can sometimes come out of nowhere, a tornado, hurricane, or a golf ball size hailstorm (our storms may be a failure, a loss, sadness, financial obligation, illness). The storm may last for a day, days or years. Sometimes we know the storm is on its way and other times it is unexpected.

During the storm we may find ourselves feeling alone. As we are trapped in a place and cannot escape the storm we wonder how much longer it will last.

As the storm ends, a sense of comfort begins, however, we are aware of the underlying understanding that the next storm is brewing.

Discern how light peeks through and shines after a storm…

1. Seek council during the storm from friends, colleagues or professionals.
2. Find time and place to heal from the destruction of the storm.
3. Devise a strategy to evaluate the storm.
4. Exude hope while living in the presence of the storm.
5. Reflect after the storm to gain insight, to prepare for the next unexpected storm.​