I remember very clearly a single day in elementary school when it began to rain. Half of the outdoor area was storming, while the other half was sunny and beautiful out. I can picture it in my mind, the rain came down over the playground, while the handball and basketball courts were under a shining sun. Of course, this “phenomenon” lasted a few moments, and my 11 year-old-self was beyond fascinated that I was under 2 very different climates - so clearly - all at once. My fellow classmates were also amazed at what we were seeing, continuing to play and dance in the rain.

Looking back, I still remember this day and the feeling I had while viewing this. Although now, I see why I thought it was great at the time, it no longer holds much significance. I was driving recently and saw this same thing – half of the highway was raining and the other half was clear. It brought me back to that day in elementary school. I began to think (mostly out of boredom) that life itself, is a lot like that image of the rain and the clear sky, all at once. What I mean by that is that life can be so full of joy & light, while simultaneously experiencing great pain & darkness.

Life is a paradox, rarely full of completely positive experiences, but it is also very rarely full of only negative experiences. There is no definite way to define this anomaly, and I'm glad their isn't. Being human, able to experience radical highs and lows, all at once, is the utmost freedom. On another note, you may experience times where you must decide, happiness or affliction. It is a choice between holding onto a relationship, or letting go. A choice between pushing through a difficult class, or dropping it and relieving stress. A choice between allowing yourself to let go of your fears, or allowing them to take control. Sometimes it just happens, that the very thing that is best for you, is what hurts the most. Mourning the loss of a life or relationship, while being offered amazing opportunities. Feeling great pain, while also enjoying the beauty of life. A paradox.

The greatest thing I have ever known is learning to accept these times, and dance through life. Life is not certain, and the array of emotions one feels over the course of merely a day, is very rarely, if ever, balanced.

And with that, I urge you to dance. Dance in the times of adversity. Dance in the times of happiness. But never cease in your amazing ability to feel, with every inch of your being. Dance through times of uncertainty, hurt, pain, happiness, pure joy, embarrassment, loss... the list goes on. Keep dancing, no matter how much you may feel like it is time to give up. Keep dancing, just like all of the innocent kids on the playground did, when we saw the split between rain and sunshine.