Pluviophile (“ploo vee uh file”) defines a person who loves rain or finds joy and peace of mind during storms. How does one acquire this level of comfort during mother nature’s wrath? I will say that sailing on a boat during inclement weather is terrifying. However, there’s a lot to be said for a good 'ole rainy day. Sleeping is easier, there’s more opportunity for reading because obligations generally get canceled or postponed, plants get watered, and days generally conclude with fantastic rainbows.
For the longest time, I’ve tried to figure out what it is about rainstorms that people don’t like. Afraid of getting wet? Fear of bigger catastrophes? Was there a traumatic childhood experience that resulted in a fear of precipitation?
Like playing in the snow, I try to take advantage of every opportunity to go outside and frolic. You might get wet or cold, but then go back inside for a hot shower and cup-a-joe. It’s like putting in a hard day's work in order to curl up by the fireplace. My best friend from childhood, Tammy (a Honduran-Italian ball of awesomeness) and I made a habit of rollerblading in the rain down my mile-long driveway in order to take full advantage of the living sprinkler system as kids. It felt like the sky was shooting out confetti and we didn’t want to miss the party.
I can understand the fear of extreme flooding after driving through very questionable small lakes in Tampa (the lightning capital), and witnessing hurricanes that whip trees in unpredictable directions, and listening to crashing sounds of hail right before a tornado barrels across the lawn, but these seem like anomalies. In general, rainstorms bring life to the landscape and worthwhile excuses to take a day off. Perhaps there's a fear of inactivity people don’t like. As someone who constantly overcommits, a day of laziness sounds delicious, but what might be my circus is another person's torment.
Whatever the reason for common dislikes of rainy weather, I invite you to go outside next time the sky opens up and take in the breeze. Put your arms out, look up to the heavens and feel gratitude for being alive.
Comments