Skip to main content

The Rainbow's Promise

In this episode, The Rainbow's Promise . . .

“The visible is the shoreline of the invisible.” – John O’Donahue

Life's journey is rarely a straight line. Sometimes, it throws us curveballs, rainstorms that obscure the path ahead. But what if those very storms held the potential for the most breathtaking beauty?

I witnessed this firsthand during my cross-country drive (across the U.S.) in 1985. From Illinois, my route was Interstate 40, headed towards the promise of California. That third day, the downpour subsided to a gentle shower, as if washing away the past and making way for something new. Ahead, I could sense the brighter future I was driving towards. Yet, the weight of past 'failures' – not finishing college, leaving behind everything familiar – pressed down on me. Arriving in California at 29, without family or friends, was a leap of faith, a raw willingness to start fresh. 

Then, as I descended a mountain pass on Interstate 15, a vibrant rainbow appeared, arching across the sky. The component colors displayed an unbelievable intensity – a fiery red bleeding into a zesty orange, followed by a radiant, golden yellow, a lush emerald green, a deep sapphire blue, and finally, a regal amethyst violet.

It was breathtaking! Nature's display of the magic of white light being dispersed by a celestial prism suspended in the atmosphere. This wasn't a faint wash of color, but a bold, powerful statement that filled my entire view with brilliance. What made it even more striking were the dark, ominous clouds that still lingered behind me, creating a dramatic backdrop that amplified the rainbow's vividness. It felt like a beacon of hope and light emerging from the recent storm.

And then, incredibly, I drove right through it!

In that instant, a whirlwind of emotions—freedom, pure joy, elation—danced with a hint of fear about the unknown. Surrounded by vibrant colors after the gentle rain, I understood that optimism isn't about overlooking the rain, but about embracing the beautiful promise of color that awaits beyond it.

My destination was Santa Monica, California, which shimmered with the promise of new beginnings. As I drove through that ethereal rainbow on the I-15, a shift occurred within me. The weight of past 'failures' seemed to lift, replaced by a blossoming sense of confidence. It was as though the magic of the vibrant colors had painted a new perspective onto my soul.

Starting over in a completely new place without familiar faces had been daunting during that three-day trip. However, driving through that unexpected arc of light instilled a newfound courage. I realized that waiting for life to happen wasn't the answer; taking the first step was.

In Santa Monica, this transformation manifested in a simple yet profound way. I decided not to wait to be introduced. Instead, fueled by positive expectations, I would extend my hand–confidently, a gesture of gratitude for the opportunity to connect with new people.

Each handshake became a small act of optimism, a belief in the goodness of others and the potential for meaningful connections. This proactive approach opened doors I never imagined and filled my life with friendships and experiences that enriched my journey in ways I couldn't have imagined.

That fleeting moment of driving through a rainbow wasn't just a beautiful memory; it was the catalyst for a fundamental shift in how I approached the world and embraced new possibilities.

Reflecting on that journey, I’m reminded that the power to change our lives often appears in those unexpected moments–serendipity–those beautiful 'rainbows' – after a gentle rain.

Friends, seize the opportunity for a fresh start and have the courage to embrace it.

Can you remember when you recognized your independence to direct your life? Take some quiet time and just think about it.

I’m Patrick Ball. Stay curious and ask questions. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Don Hanley said…
Beautiful!! Patrick - both the experience and the writing!
Patrick Ball said…
Thank you. I've held this story for years, and after reading "Beauty: The Invisible Embrace" by John O'Donohue, I must confess it helped unlock the power of clarity.

Most Popular of All Time

Finding Our Place

In this episode,  Finding Our Place: Hope and Humanity in the Age of AI . . . Yesterday, I overheard a conversation that echoed a question many of us are quietly asking: In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, where do we , as humans, truly fit in? My younger colleagues, sharp and driven, were "joking" about AI taking their jobs. Their concerns felt valid, prompting me to reflect. Will machines really replace us? My answer, unequivocally, is No . And here’s why. What makes us uniquely human isn't merely our ability to perform tasks. It's our innate capacity for creativity and our deep-seated need to serve others. These aren't just abstract ideas; they are the very essence of what gives meaning to our lives and work. While AI excels at processing data and automating tasks with incredible speed, it cannot replicate the spark of human ingenuity. It lacks the empathy to truly understand unspoken needs or the intuitive synergy that fosters breakthrough solutio...

Chasing the Magic

In this episode, Chasing the Magic: How the Summer of ’98 Inspired the 'Ball Boys' . . .  Do you remember that feeling? The late-summer air was thick with humidity, radios crackling on porches, the smell of fresh-cut grass and barbecue smoke in the backyard. Every evening carried a new kind of suspense—the country holding its collective breath after every pitch. “Did he hit one today?” became more than a question; it sparked a nationwide conversation.   For me, and millions of others, the summer of 1998 wasn’t just another baseball season. It was theater, a movement, a time when the game recaptured something sacred. As sportswriter Mike Lupica said so perfectly,   “No matter how old you are or how much you’ve seen, sports is still about memory and imagination. Never more than during the summer of ’98, when baseball made everyone feel like a kid again, when it felt important again.”    Just four years earlier, the 1994 players’ strike had left the sport bruised...

The Curious Crew

In today's special episode, The Curious Crew . . .  Oh, our young folks are ready, with AI so grand, A new era of wonders across every land! With curious minds, vast as Space, full of creative delight, And a zest for exploring, with all of their light! They welcome new tools, with a gleam in their eye, To learn and to grow, way up to the sky! Our thinking's a marvel, a clever design, We make new plans, so fantastically fine! With problem-space maps and memories, too, We build new ideas, quite fresh and quite new! With smiling faces, showing gratitude's grace, We find our own wonderful, human-filled place! Sharing a meal with generosity and love, A warm human spirit, a gift from above! We stand tall together, collaborate, and help with a grin, For with Agentic AI, together we win! Not machines all alone, but with us by their side, We'll create and serve, with nothing to hide! I'm Patrick Ball. Stay curious and ask questions. See you next time.

Beyond June Gloom

Beyond June Gloom: The Milky Way Awaits! ✨🌌 Has the seemingly endless marine layer got your telescope feeling neglected? For us sky-watchers on the beautiful California coast, May Gray and June Gloom have played a persistent game of hide-and-seek with our celestial views. But there's good news tonight: as summer officially arrives, a stunning cosmic spectacle is about to reveal itself, and you absolutely won't want to miss it! We know the drill: that persistent marine layer turning our sunny days into cool, misty ones. It's a hallmark of our coastal climate, and while it's kept our telescopes under wraps, consider it nature’s way of building epic anticipation for the celestial show that’s about to unfold The Return of the Galactic Core! (Photo courtesy of Gemini) As the days grow longer and the summer air warms, those stubborn clouds will begin to dissipate, revealing a breathtaking sight: the core of our very own Milky Way galaxy! That's right, the vibrant heart...