Singing in the rain...

Those words, no doubt, bring visions of someone happily enjoying themselves in the rain, just joyfully singing  & dancing down the street.  But what if it's ALWAYS raining?  Is there a time when you go from singing joyfully to singing the blues?  Was he happy because it was raining? Or was he happy despite the fact it was raining?  How do we go about singing joyfully when everything isn't all sunshine & roses?

Such is the dilemma I have been in this summer.  Calgary is not a place known for a long summer ...but this summer (such as it is) has been so rainy and soggy it's depressing!  What to do with the weather you have no choice but to endure ...whether you like it or not?

Well there is always escaping travelling to somewhere warmer.  Even short weekend trips are fun.  Go to another province/state.  We've taken several trips this summer to Radium, BC (our home away from home during most summers).  But the not-so-nice weather seems to have followed us there this year.  We've taken a trip to Montana for a weekend with some friends who are permanently escaping the nasty weather to go live Down Under (well...he was really transferred for work, but who can blame them for jumping at the chance to live somewhere hot!). 

Or we can embrace the new "in" thing...have a STAYCATION!  What's that you ask?  A stay-what???  A staycation is when you take a vacation...without escaping to some fantastic faraway place.  It's embracing and exploring your backyard..so to speak. 

This year, due to various reasons which I won't bore you with, I've decided to explore this new concept of vacationing at home.  Instead of taking one week off from work (though I may still do this sometime later in the year) I've decided to make all my weekends long-weekends by taking Fridays off all summer (up to the Labour Day long weekend in September).   And what have I done on my Fridays (and sometimes Saturdays) you ask?  Well...let me count the ways...

I've been to Banff to explore new parks & paths.  I've been to Kananaskis to enjoy some new sights and sounds (waterfalls/birds).  I spent a day at the Stampede this year (first time in a decade I think - the Stampede just doesn't have much appeal to someone who's had to endure hearing about it every year since birth...blah).  I've explored new pathways and gardens in my own city.  And most recently, I've enjoyed a Spa Day complete with massage, facial, manicure & pedicure!  Hmmmm...I really enjoyed that!  There's so much more I'd like to explore and do before the summer is over. 

The thing I realize the most about having a staycation is that it doesn't need to involve a lot of time.  Is there a one-hour window of opportunity (sun)?  Great...lets go for a walk.  Bring an umbrella (just in case) and lets toodle off to a new park/pathway.  Or how about just explore your own neighbourhood?  I love walking, and I usually tend to follow the same path.  But it's fun every now and again to turn the other way and head in a new direction.  I've discovered a few new playgrounds in my neighbourhood that my daughter might like to explore, new and interesting streets, said "Hi" to lots of my "neighbours" and met lots of new friendly dogs in the area (I have a Yorkie...and I noticed that there are A LOT of other Yorkies in my area!!  So cute!).

Is it raining constantly?  Then how about an afternoon at the library or a bookstore?  How about meeting some old friends at a coffeeshop to catch-up on life?  How about an afternoon at the movies or just watching your favorite at home?  How about cooking a new meal or dessert and enjoying it at home with the family by candlelight during a storm and playing some board games?  How about curling up in your favorite chair with a good book or learning a new skill (knitting anyone??).

When the opportunities you really want are just out of reach, this is the time to create your own opportunities.  Though I would love to be travelling the world on a whims notice, that is not something that is realistic.  We need to dig deep to get out of the "rainy day" doldrums and create our own exciting opportunities, no matter how small and insignificant you might think they are.  Staycations are a great opportunity to try new things.  They don't have to take a long time, or cost a lot of money.  Regardless of the weather, there is always lots to do if you put your mind to it.  We all tend to get in a slump or rut at some point in our lives.  Life gets so busy with work, with family commitments, with cleaning, with responsibilities, it's sometimes hard to remember to enjoy and embrace life.  I especially need to remember that taking time off for myself is not selfish, it's healthy!  I can't be "on" all the time for other people if I am running on empty.  I need to remember to refuel my spirit and do the things I enjoy...even if I have to do them alone.

So lets get out there and find some fun!  Why not go out and try something new this week!