“Don't be so ridiculous”, my mother always said, “Rain can't make you sick; germs make you sick”.
And not too long ago a doctor friend of mine confirmed this.
The only way the rain can make you sick, is if the rain water contains germs that you swallow or fall into your eyes, he said, in not so many words.
The reason, he went on, that people think rain makes you sick ,is because when they get caught in the rain, the body temperature drops and may cause temporary sniffles (an immune system response).
However, if, after being in the rain, you stay cold for long enough, the body's immunity drops and you become more susceptible to illness.
Those already on the brink of getting sick with a cold, may find that the cold comes out after being caught in the rain because of lowered immunity.
Personally, I love the rain, and my philosophy is: if humans weren't meant to get wet, then why did Mother Nature waterproof the skin?
And so the other day, when everyone around me retreated inside as the heavens opened, I ventured out.
I don't really know why. I guess because I had been cooped up inside all day and just felt compelled to go out and release myself into the wild; to not care for the clothes I was wearing, getting my lack of hair wet, or the potential of getting a chill.
I love the rain. It makes me feel alive.
It reminds me of the power of Mother Nature.
It reminds me that everything needs this magical substance to survive, that we are all – animals, plants and trees, too – at the mercy of water. Water is the essence of life.
Without water, everything dies.
And so I ran a while, then slowed down, closed my eyes and held my head toward the sky as the rain dripped down onto my face. I flung my arms towards the sky, and then ran my palms over my face to clear my blurred, watery vision.
Wow. I felt naked in the world, at one with the elements.
People dashed past me, running for cover, while others held bags, jumpers or newspapers over their heads.
Me, I just kept walking.
It felt wonderful to not care. To lose my rain inhibitions, as it were.
So what, I got wet.
So what, my clothes were wet.
So what, my shoes would have to be left outside to dry overnight.
It was totally worth the buzz.
It's amazing how letting go in such a simple way opens up so many thought processes.
I began to think of ways we usually let go, such as getting drunk, or perhaps taking a ride on a roller coaster, both of which cost money. This was more natural, and I didn't have a cold in the morning!
I began to think about why we have become so fearful of getting wet. I mean, getting soaked is one thing, but most people duck desperately for cover after just a few drops.
At one time humans lived within a stone's throw of water; thus the reason we always feel relaxed and quite at home by the sea.
We go on holiday once a year to feel the calm, peace and serenity emitted by ocean shores, yet back in our home towns we scarper away at the first sight of water dripping from the sky.
Strange…
…Rain is as natural as the sun, and as beautiful too. But when we create adversity to something, or inherit the adversity of others, we often end up blind to the true beauty enshrined in the simplest of things.
I'm not saying brave thunder and lightening, or ruin your favourite clothes, but just try it sometime.
Just let it all go and dance around in the rain like you did as a child
