As we inch closer to the dry and hot season, my awareness of the nuances of Singapore’s weather continues to grow. We are in a lull period with multiple seasons in a day. From balmy tropical mornings with gentle breezes to scorching heat that overwhelms everyone and the occasional rain shower with a brief squall running by, the extremes are far more noticeable than the numbers might suggest.
The balmy morning is one of quiet reflection. It is hard to be exceptionally emotional. Life seems to be inviting everyone to slow down, breathe deep, and take some time to observe the world around you. In my case, treetops, the sounds of quiet living, and smells. As I push out into the morning, my energy and the heat around me speed up. There is much that can and should be done! With each step, the pressure and heat seem to rise until it is overwhelming. Pausing to regroup is helpful but one needs draw on all the reserves available.
Just when one is getting used to the heat, usually from whatever shade is available, one catches a glimpse of grayness in the otherwise blue sky as well as the sense that there is a wind coming. More often than not, I miss the telltales. I catch myself in a breeze, different enough that it feels cold, then watched amazed as lightening cracks and big drops of rain dominate the scene.
As I watch water pouring off the rooftops of the shop houses across the street from the office, my thoughts reset. In the natural sounds I hear the hidden Psalmist’s words; “Your sudden roar, God of Jacob, knocked the wind out of horse and rider.” (Psalm 76.6) There is so much more to the story. Even beyond the immediate, I realize that you and I are part of a story that goes beyond what we can see and imagine. The rain seems as if it will go on forever but it always ends. Taking shelter and walking refreshed when it breaks is the answer, again and again.
