Rainbows

I've been adventuring in Colorado over the past few days. Lots of hiking, lots of scenic drives, and lots of changes of expectation. On Sunday, we spent all day taking the scenic route through the mountains. We hiked a ridge and got above 13,000 feet, we had group meditation at a park in Aspen, and we visited a beautiful monastery, tucked away in the mountains.

As our day was coming to an end, we reached the interstate. From there, it would only be 45 minutes or so back to our guest house. As we pulled up to the entrance, we were turned away. Eastbound traffic was closed due to a mudslide in the canyon. And the next-shortest route back home...was 3 and a half hours away through narrow roads and mountain passes. After a long day of hiking and adventuring, we'd be driving into the night.

I was pretty flabbergasted, but we had to go. So we turned around and began the drive back. The sun was beginning to set behind us. Ahead of us was a big batch of mountain rain. As we began our long drive home, the rain and the sun mixed. Next thing you know, moving alongside us was the most beautiful double rainbow. Rain mixed with sunset light made for a dazzling combination that drove along with us for a good while.

Rainbows are a great reminder of the beauty of all-inclusivity. When rain and light merge, you get one of life's most stunning treasures. We may find, at any moment, an interesting combination of emotions being felt. No need to judge it or exclude any of it. Grief and laughter, anxiety and happiness, acceptance and anger. See what happens if you simply allow the merger.

When we embrace our multifacetedness and allow the many poles to combine, we're able to experience life in its entirety. And that's a beauty to behold.