When I was looking at the weather for this weekend and I saw that it was not going to be perfect sunny skies and mild weather, I was a bit disappointed. I already do not enjoy kayaking as an activity and adding on bad weather to that heap made the less than excited for the trip. The day came with a tease of sunshine until the very moment when we unloaded the boats and got onto the water. The unpromising gray skies followed us throughout the day. After lunch, when we began paddling again, it began to rain. The idea of rain was so unpleasant but once I actually began to feel the liquid gathering on my skin, my perspective changed.

A few nights previously there had been a torrential downpour that I was caught in as I made my way across campus. It was late and there weren’t many people around. At first I was dismayed to find myself completely soaked but then I realized that there was nothing I could about that. There’s a quote that says, “Life isn’t about hiding from the storm, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” In a post late-night library daze, I grabbed my friend and together we ran through the streets, jumping in puddles and letting ourselves be surrounded by the water. In that moment, I felt so alive. Bringing this back to our paddle, I felt a similar sort of electricity as my skin became damp with the precipitation. I think the water has some energy and having it not only flowing swiftly beneath me but also fall from the sky above me, I was surrounded by it. I felt rejuvenated, even though I was physically and mentally exhausted from the week. The water made me feel alive.