Where I am, on vacation in New England, the weather has been less than optimal.  That’s code for it’s been raining alot!  As a result, people are a bit down, disappointed that their best laid summer plans have been washed out.  It seems that all any one can talk about is the weather (yawn, ho hum), as if talking about it is going to make the sun come out.  And ‘talk’ is actually being kind…I feel like I’m living in Complaintville.  If the clouds and rain aren’t enough, all this negative talk is a real downer.  You’d think that the whole world had stopped and all that is going on is bad weather.  Why do we have such a narrow view?  Why do we find comfort (pleasure?) in sharing our common misery?  And why must we let the weather dictate our sense of satisfaction and well being?  I say we mustn’t and  I’m on a campaign to turn things around…I’ve begun a list of the great things I’ve been able to do on rainy days during my vacation this summer.  I’d welcome your additions.  Just thinking about the many options cheers me up!

Here are a few of the things I’ve been able to do that I wouldn’t have done if the weather had been better:

1. Went to the local art museum without feeling like I’m missing a day on the water!
2. Finished the book I started last month.
3. Go running without struggling with the heat
4. Take naps to catch up on the sleep I’ve been missing
5. Spend intimate time with my kids playing games and doing puzzles
6. Clean the cluttered closets that have been bugging me for years.
7. Write real pen and paper letters to friends
8. Clean out my inbox
9. Write some blog entries
10. Write 5 things I’m grateful for at the end of every day.

Here are some ideas I’ve had for others:

1. Think of things you did on rainy days as a kid and ‘re-enact’ them for your kids
2. Rent movies you’ve always wanted to see or better yet, rent some of your old faves and watch them again
3. Have a tea party
4. Organize your closets or your kitchen
5. Embark on that hobby you’ve always wanted to explore
6. Interview your relatives and learn more about your family history

What do you do on a rainy day while on vacation?  Do you suffer and complain or do you make the best of it and create your own good time?

Like many things in life, we can’t control the weather but we have complete control over how we deal with it!

Enjoy!