Photo © D. Paul Graham, “Diehard Race Fans”, Storm Delay at Daytona 500 2024

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. Storms ….

I was excited to shoot my first Daytona 500 this past week. But alas, mother nature had a different plan for photographers and race fans alike. Sunshine on Friday allowed for some great shots of qualifying rounds for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the Xfinity Series, and NASCR Cup Series. I must say that being up close and personal on track, I gained an entirely new appreciation for NASCAR.  Never mind the guts to draft that close…. that sound – wow! Despite getting soaked to the bone on Saturday, I was still smiling on track at Daytona. The running dialogue of other photographers as we watched severe storm weather on the radar rounded out hours of waiting in the media center. The Daytona 500 has been postponed to Monday afternoon. Today’s M5T considers the physical and metaphorical power of storms in our lives.

1. Storms have Intensity.

The power of storms speaks to us. Storms disrupt, causing us to slow down, focusing our attention on what is in front of us and staying safe. Storms can test and challenge. They can illuminate our sorrow, inspire humility through their power, and resonate through our very core like a cannonade clap of thunder of a mid-summer’s tempest.

2. Storms can be Beautiful.

Despite how destructive these downpours can be, they also have an innate beauty. The contrast of a dark sky against muted colors of the greens and yellows of a low country marsh. Waves crashing and spraying against a shoreline. Mud puddles just waiting to be jumped in. Our minds’ eye thinking of Gene Kelly dancing and singing in the rain. Being energized looking upwards as the warmth of Georgian rain hits your face. The smell of fresh rich earth and green grass once the rains have stopped.

3. Storms Pass.

At times storms seem to come out of nowhere catching us flat footed, frightening us, taking parts of us with it that we did not expect. Other times we see the whirlwinds approaching and have time to prepare or to plan to seek shelter. In either case, we know the storm will eventually pass through.

4. Storms are Mysterious.

As the boatswain in Shakespeare’s “Tempest” observed, not even kings can command the elements. Storms remind us of how little we can actually control in nature. Only our Creator has that control. Storms allow us to be in awe of God. It is perhaps one of life’s greatest mysteries that He sometimes calms the squalls in our lives and other times He lets them rage… both with the purpose of catching our attention and to teach us something that we need at that point in our lives. In either case, calming comfort or raging that seemingly is without respite, He promises that the storm will never destroy us.

5. Storms bring Change.

Storms can uproot lives in a matter of moments. They can bring a change of perspective, moving us to places we never thought we would be or even to places we didn’t want to go. Sailors adjust their sails and point the bow head-on into a relentless wind. Pilots change altitude to find clear skies by climbing above the turbulence of dark and ominous clouds. Storms can bring out the worst and the best in people. Storms point out our weaknesses, our hubris, our misjudgment and can even make us feel insane. And yet, storms are necessary to nourish, replenish, and bring growth into our lives. They can move us with newfound compassion to help others as we realize the needs and hurts of others far exceed our own.

Here’s to a week of facing your physical and metaphorical life storms head-on.

© 2024 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 12 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T.