During this journey I’ve had a lot of rainbows in my clouds. First, there were clouds indeed, but within them I have discovered so many beautiful rainbows, often in unexpected places.
What exactly does this phrase mean, and where did it come from?
Dr. Maya Angelou. Watch.
I fear that the words “be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud” has turned into a cotton candy sentiment, the subject of kitschy graphics all over Pinterest and pillow cases at Target. With pretty rainbows everywhere, it is easy to gloss over it quickly, smile, nod, and move on. But, slow down and look deeper with me.
It has also grown into beautiful movements like this one.
It is the theme for day, week, and even year-long initiatives at schools.
It is the subject of sermons, blogs, letters.
My Rainbows:
I took some time today to write down who my rainbows are/have been, to see their names written out, and the collection as a whole. I wanted to not only take the time to recognize and acknowledge, but also see them together. I wanted to identify the broad spectrum in my colorful rainbow – the range of impact, color, hue, vibrancy – how together they have all created the most magnificent rainbow I have ever seen, beyond anything I could ever imagine or design on my own.
I was surprised to recall some rainbows from my past, people that were only there for a moment, but have had a lasting impact. Doing this exercise gave me pause to notice and remember them.
Like with Dr. Angelou, I have been carrying my rainbows with me through this entire journey. Mentally and emotionally, physically, and even in silly but effective ways like my rainbow trails. Those trails are fueled by my rainbow people! They matter!
Who I’m a Rainbow For:
Next, I wrote down names of people I know I have been/am a rainbow for. These are people that have either told me directly that I have had an impact, or I know based on the relationship. This list is shorter. I don’t know what the “correct” ratio should be between the two lists but I don’t like mine. Many people are on both lists, a reciprocal relationship, but some people are not. Is this an issue of people not letting me know when I have been a rainbow in their lives? Is this me being humble? Am I too much of a taker and not enough of a giver? Maybe a little of everything, but it shows me two things:
- I have work to do as a rainbow.
- I need to let my rainbows know that they are special to me, because maybe they don’t know. Maybe I’m not on their “people I have been a rainbow for” list because I haven’t told them so!
My MTP includes becoming a rainbow in other people’s clouds. This experience has been too large to reserve as my own. The gifts have been too plentiful to not share. While I continue to write each day, working to share my story (one way of being a rainbow), I’m also working on other ways to be a more brilliant rainbow. It isn’t enough to smile and appreciate the beautiful words and idea from Dr. Angelou, this requires action. This requires going outside myself to give to others in a meaningful way. I know that I am a rainbow for some people, but I can do better here.
But first, I’m going to reach out today to the people that have been my rainbows and let them know. It will feel so good to send a note of gratitude, maybe it will feel like a tiny rainbow reflecting back to them from me.
I’m challenging you to do the same!
Your Challenge
Take some time today to do four things:
- Identify who your rainbows have been. Write them down!
- Think of who you have been/are a rainbow for. Write these down, too!
- Put these both side by side, and like the water droplets that reflect and refract to create a rainbow, use what you see as a mirror for yourself, guiding you to answer…
- How can you become a better rainbow in someone else’s cloud? Definitely write this down and then go do it!
Prepare yourself so that you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud. Somebody who may not look like you, may not call God the same name you call God—if they call God at all—you see? And may not eat the same dishes prepared the way you do, may not dance your dances, or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody; that’s what I think.
– Dr. Maya Angelou
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