I know what you might be thinking. Binita? Rain? What an odd time to be introspective.

I actually don't think so. Yes, we shouldn't pretend that rain doesn't hinder our plans or sets us in a gloomy mood. Those things happen to me too. But I want to think about it in a different approach this time.

You know when you're alone with just your own company, whether it be in the shower or staring up at the ceiling of your room as your next wave of insomnia hits. Your brain is just constantly filled with new ideas and thoughts, sometimes even philosophical ideas and thoughts. I am so grateful for the ability to think, even if it may keep me awake at night sometimes, or change my mood at the most random times. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to see things in different lights, even brighter lights. Most importantly, I wanted to take whatever came in and out in my life in the most constructive, healthiest way possible. I didn't want to be negative, cruel or whiny. I, in essence, wanted to be content with what life decided to throw at me.

One day, I made the mistake of forgetting my umbrella while heading off to my summer class. It was pouring heavily by the time I left my office, and I couldn't help but begin to silently curse at myself for being so careless. But I remembered to take a deep breath as I started to walk. Eventually, I did maneuver myself somehow to the train station with my hair drenched, my clothes soaked, and my cheap makeshift umbrella half broken, but with a new and refreshing perspective.

Adapt to change

Again, life will throw anything and everything at you sometimes--but what's important is how you deal with the situation. Not everything will go according to your plans, nothing at all even, and it's hard to deal with it, but it can absolutely be done. I, to reiterate, was not at all prepared for what I faced that storm of an afternoon. I could have been angry at myself the whole day for not bringing my umbrella with me, but why bother? Why waste energy on what could've been instead of what you can do now?

I brought a cheap, makeshift umbrella from the nearby corner bodega. By that time, I was already drenched significantly, but I figured that I should make the pit stop--even if it was pretty late in the game--and buy the umbrella for the remainder of the walk to the station.

Let go

It was no drizzle that fateful afternoon; it was a serious downpour, reminiscent of the heavy morning showers I used to witness back in my home country of Bangladesh. Like the sky was just holding it all in for the past couple of days and just had to let all of it out now. Think about the whole water cycle and all that jazz--when the clouds are full of moisture, they have to let go of all of it, right? It's something we should think about as complex individuals that often bottle up so many unspoken thoughts or emotions deep inside of us. My father used to say to me and my siblings growing up that crying was a sign of weakness, but it was one of the few things my father and I disagreed on. Letting out your emotions, whether it be through crying or some other outlet, is healthy, and a symbol of strength and resilience. By letting go, we allow ourselves to cleanse ourselves and go through the healing process. At any point in your life, if you feel tears pooling in your eyes, let them go freely. Don't let anybody tell you that you shouldn't. Let go, and you will grow.

Things can--and do--get better.

My makeshift umbrella carried me up to the train station, where at that point it just became virtually useless. However, by that time, the sun was already shining brightly in the sky, and my previously soaked clothes were already drying up pretty quickly. Better news? Although my shoes were worn out due to the heavy rains, I've managed to walk myself to class successfully and meet my new professor for this summer, who turned out to be a kind, understanding woman. She greeted each one of us with a genuine smile and talked to us about professionalism, etiquette, and microaggressions. Already, I felt like this was going to be a fun and informative class.

I'm not saying that things suddenly went perfectly after the rain ended. It didn't. My shoes were slightly soggy, I had a broken umbrella in my arms, and I looked like a wreck with my severely frizzy hair and an awkward walk. That being said, the sun was shining brightly and my class went well. The point is, things weren't perfect in those moments, but they were starting to look a lot better than before. The initial heavy rain-shower might have brought my mood down significantly, but the storm didn't last forever. Everything is temporary, and whatever is bringing you down now won't bring you down forever.