Until we meet again, we dance together in the rain, in my dreams and in my thoughts.
Yesterday my brother paid me a visit. He was on a short motorcycle ride and he stopped by on his way home to say hi. I offered to make him some pancakes but he refused as he was in a hurry. I insisted. He refused me again. I insisted more (I am really pushy sometimes. I must work on that) telling him that they will be ready in no time. He again refused my offer and told me that he promised his wife he’d be home before the night fall. She doesn’t like knowing him riding his motorcycle during the night time. I understand her completely so I wished him a safe trip and thanked him for stopping by. He did not get home on time. Only 15 more km to go and he got a flat tire.
The moment he called me to tell me what happened I had suddenly realized just how much we depend on luck, fate, God… whatever you want to call it, in our daily life. For me, the simple things, the more or less ordinary moments of life have that special power of opening my eyes if they come at the right moment, in the right circumstances, in the right “shape”. And it seems that my brother’s motorcycle had the perfect shape”! Of course I was aware that we don’t have complete control over our lives, but that was the “A-ha” moment that had short-circuited my lazy neurons irreversibly and made me realize at a much deeper level not only the idea of , let’s say, fate, but the importance of embracing it instead of fighting it or complaining about it. We might want things, we might make plans, and, when things don’t go according to our plans, we might fight, we might struggle, we might rebel but, in the end, we have no control over anything, we are in fate’s hands. The sooner we embrace this idea, the better. The only thing we can control is the way we perceive things, the way we respond to life. Well… this perception might also be an illusion but I leave the discussion for another time . Anyway, instead of fighting, or lamenting, or seeing ourselves as victims of life’s circumstances, we might as well try to embrace life as it is, to see the light in everything and try to perceive every misfortune as a possibility for growing. I know I don’t say anything new. We have all met this idea many times on the internet, in movies, in books, but for me this was the moment in which this simple knowledge permeated my every cell and became part of me.
On the subject, Nietzsche once said: “My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it…but love it”.
I liked the phrase that he used to express his idea. Amor fati comes from Latin and it is rooted in the wisdom of the ancient Stoic school of Greece, that means “love of one’s fate”. It describes an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one’s life, including suffering and loss, as good or, at the very least, necessary. Well… I don’t know if suffering is necessary, but it, for sure, help us grow if we are inclined to introspection. If we aren’t, then there is the risk that we are suffering in vain and nothing good comes out of it. And it really is a pity to suffer and not learn something of it or do something out of the situation. A kite, at least, or a paper crane, or a house for lady bugs. Anything. For our own good or for somebody else’s.
The same idea we find at Epictetus, who, two millenniums ago, said: “Ask not that events should happen as you will, but let your will be that events should happen as they do, and you shall have peace.“ There you go: the key to peace of mind, according to the slave turned philosopher, is accepting one’s fate: with good and bad, with chaos and order, with wins and loses, with everything.
The idea is not about becoming passive and accepting everything with resignation. Not at all. It is about working with the situations. Together. As a team. And instead of letting yourself crushed by the wave of “misfortunes” that has just come upon you, or instead of trying to resist it, to fight it when it hits you, just acknowledge it, jump on it, ride it, make the best out of it. You’ll end up with a wave-ride and, most probably, you’ll catch a big fish. But really… only riding a wave would be awesome with or without the fish. So… why not try the experience?
For example, next time when you are on your summer holiday on a wonderful beach in Greece and it doesn’t stop raining for days, don’t get mad, don’t blame fate. Embrace the situation, turn it into something to remember. Dress yourself beautifully, for a special occasion, get out and dance in the rain, dance with the rain. Let the water drops kiss you, kiss them back, give the rain a big hug, make it your dance partner, thank the sky for this blessing. Because rain is a blessing. In moderate quantities.
And this is how this “Amor Fati or Dancing in the Rain” piece was born. It all started with a flat tire. I leave the neuroscience to decipher the intricacies of my brain as I have abandoned this task long ago.
Paula Belle Flores 
This is beautiful and touching. Inspiration comes from anywhere and anything, if your mind and heart is in listening mode. I just had to use your beautiful artwork in one of my FB posts. With mention. I will comply with with your wishes if you want me to delete.
Have a super week.
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Thank you so much for your kind words about my artwork. I’m really glad it resonated with you—it means a lot to me. I’m totally fine with you using it in your FB post, and I appreciate you mentioning me. No need to delete anything; I’m honored you found inspiration in my work. Have an awesome week too! 😊
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Your artwork fell in line perfectly with the inspirational quote from Vivian Green.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Your image of dancing with Nemo opened a long closed door in my heart. Many decades ago I lost one of my best friends. A large disheveled newfoundland that I found in a box under the Christmas tree when I was five years old. I hope that the saying all dogs go to heaven is correct. If I ever make it to that other dimension, I pray that he will be there waiting for me. Thank you for bringing back fond memories.
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Your artwork fit perfectly with my post of the inspirational quotation from Vivian Green.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
The thought of you dancing with Nemo opened a long ago closed door in my heart. Many decades ago I lost one of my best friends. A large disheveled newfoundland that I found in a box under the Christmas tree when I was five years old. The saying that all dogs go to heaven I pray is true. If ever I make it to that other dimension, I hope he is there waiting for me. Thank you for bringing back fond memories with your rendering.
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Just saw this picture and article. As a 74 y.o. dog lover, I have loved and lost more beloved canine companions than I’ll detail here, but the first (and so dear to my heart) was a half Norwegian elkhound/half German shepherd I and my partner at the time named Helza Poppin. As someone who also loves dance, I found the picture of you dancing in the rain with Nemo so beautiful. I would love to be able to buy a framed copy or to have the image on a T-shirt or sweatshirt. But, I know it is an encapsulation of your joy coupled with sorrow. May you be blessed with much joy and love in your life. I am currently reading Susan Wilson’s “The Dog I Loved” about the incredible healing power of a close relationship with a dog.
Judy Carroll, 8/12/24 (National Elephant Day, another marvelous species)
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Dear Judy,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It means the world to me when someone connects with my art on such a personal level. There’s something truly special about the bond that forms when we share in the emotions and stories that art can evoke.
I’m honored that you’d like to have a framed copy or wear the image on a T-shirt or sweatshirt. I sell my art on Redbubble, and you can find this piece there if you’d like to purchase it. Here’s the link: Redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/i/photographic-print/Amor-Fati-or-Dancing-in-the-Rain-by-BelleFlores/78915902.ZRLK5
Thank you so much for recommending The Dog I Loved by Susan Wilson. I looked it up, and it sounds like a beautiful and moving book. It’s now on my reading list.
Since you mentioned elephants and their national day, I wanted to share a book with you that I’ve read and loved: Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel by Carl Safina. It delves into the emotional lives of animals, including elephants, and I think you might really enjoy it.
Wishing you much joy, love, and many wonderful moments with the incredible animals that touch our lives.
Warm regards,
Paula.
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Thanks so for info regarding Redbubble. I ordered a T-shirt of the wonderful pic of you dancing with Nemo in the rain. Also got a sticker you designed of an elephant that I also love and plan to affix on my car’s bumper along with some other Redbubble stickers that caught my attention. Oh, when I referred to National Elephant Day, I mis-wrote, it was Word Elephant Day. https://worldelephantday.org/events#:~:text=Wildlife%20of%20Africa%20Conservation%20Initiative,billed%20for%20August%2012%2C%202024. Regards, Judy Carroll, fellow dog and elephant lover
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Hi Judy,
Thank you so much for your purchase! I’m so happy that you found something that resonates with you through my art. I hope the T-shirt and sticker bring you lots of joy every day.
Regarding Elephant Day, I realized that after a quick Google search 🙂 Elephants are indeed wonderful animals. I’ve never had the opportunity to see one up close. There is one (or two) at a local zoo, but I tend to avoid zoos as they don’t give me the best feeling.
Wishing you a lovely day filled with joy! 😊
P.S. I bet your bumper looks amazing with all those stickers. If you’re up for it, I’d love to see a photo—sounds like it would be fun to see!
Warm regards,
Paula.
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