Summary

The web content describes a personal journey of finding hope and positivity through the act of looking up, both literally and metaphorically, during a period of cloudy and rainy days.

Abstract

The narrative revolves around the author's experience of seeking optimism amidst overcast skies and continuous rainfall. The author, despite the gloomy weather, chooses to go out for a walk with an umbrella and waterproof camera, determined to shift their mindset. Through the act of looking up at the gray skies, capturing images of nature, and even dancing in the rain, the author finds moments of joy and anticipation, leading to the eventual sighting of a rainbow. This symbolizes the power of perspective in overcoming negative thoughts and the importance of seeking beauty and hope in life's challenging moments. The essay concludes with the author's mood lifting and a renewed sense of positivity for the future.

Opinions

The author believes in the significance of perspective, suggesting that looking up can lead to a shift in mindset and bring about positive change.
There is an underlying opinion that nature has therapeutic effects, as the author finds solace and inspiration in the fields, forest, and even the rain.
The act of dancing in the rain is portrayed as a proactive measure to combat negativity, indicating the author's belief in the connection between physical movement and emotional well-being.
The author values the small joys in life, such as the sight of wildflowers and the appearance of a rainbow, as catalysts for a refreshed mind and better days ahead.
The essay conveys a sense of gratitude and wonder for the natural world, as the author is ecstatic about experiencing both the rainbow and the sun simultaneously.
The author encourages readers to seek out beauty and positivity, even in challenging circumstances, by actively changing their focus and outlook.

WRITING PROMPT RESPONSE

Looking up in Search for Blue Skies and Sunshine

About cloudy days, life questions and dances in the rain

Aren’t we always striving to move up and forward? Don't we try to look up in one way or the other? Isn’t life about looking up to our idols and growing past them? Well, sure, there are days when we don’t feel like looking up and have our face tilted downward and sad. But even in those cases, looking up is how we eventually move on again.

Looking up.

Two simple words yet so meaningful.

And the past two weeks, I’ve been looking up lots. In search of blue skies, I hoped every morning to get to see some sunshine. It was another overcast day bringing lots of rain when I got up and made my way out of the trailer. David looked at me, asking where I was heading. I told him I’d go for a walk. He stopped what he was doing and stared at me.

“It is raining.”

Oh really? I didn’t notice it has been raining for the past ten days without a break (I’m exaggerating only a bit). But I have to get out. I need a shift in my mindset.

Looking up at different shades of gray. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

And so, I left. Leaving my good camera behind due to the rain but taking the waterproof GoPro with me, I wasn’t just equipped with a raincoat but had an umbrella as well.

Looking up, I saw a dirty yellow umbrella in front of gray skies.

Looking up at a dirty yellow umbrella above my head. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Walking at the edge of the forest, I placed the camera at the bottom of the crops field and took a capture looking up. I think this would look better with some blue skies in the background.

Looking up in a field of wheat. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Deciding to get active in changing my negative mind and thoughts, I put down my camera and started to dance. It wasn’t pouring anymore, but a light drizzle of rain was still coming down.

A silent fluttering was sounding across from the bushes, and a distant roaring of thunder echoed across the fields as j was throwing the umbrella up in the air.

I looked up and saw the yellow umbrella floating in the wind.

Looking up in the rain at my umbrella in the sky. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Let’s look for the bright things in life again. Like these wildflowers blooming despite the late hour of the day.

Looking up at wet wildflowers. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

And look ahead. There’s even some blue sky. A hole in the blanket of clouds, at least.

Looking up at a patch of blue. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

I walked on the farm road, kicking pebbles ahead of me, when I felt the sun tickling my skin. I looked up and still saw the drops of rain falling from the sky.

You know what that means, right?

I turned my back toward the sun, knowing the rainbow would come up any minute. And as I stood there staring at the sky, a beautiful bow filled with colors began to form.

My dance did work. The sun came out and gifted me with a beautiful rainbow.

Looking up at the sun and the rain and realizing there must be a rainbow. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

I was ecstatic. Still feeling the drops of rain on my face, I looked up and saw both — the rainbow and the sun — at the same time. What a special moment it was knowing it wouldn’t last long.

Looking up at the rainbow. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

Shortly after, the rain stopped and the colorful bow disappeared as quickly as it built. Blue skies were now above my head and I decided to try the shot from earlier once more. Looking up from a field of wheat.

Looking up at the field of wheat with a blue sky behind. | Photo credit: Anne Bonfert

As the wind was howling, even more at the heights of the clouds, the blue didn’t stay long and I missed my chance of taking a picture of the forest canopy with a blue backdrop.

But my mood has lifted and my mind is refreshed. Looking up in nature helped me to look up in life again. Better days are ahead.