“There are days that, at first seem brooding and filled with dread. Let them unfold as they will. Those storm clouds may pass and the worry was for naught” – Ed Lehming

I made this photo a few weeks ago while vacationing in Cancun. While I made a point of capturing sunrises every day, this shot was taken around 9:45 am on February 8th. We had beautiful weather for the past few days, each day gradually warming after a chilly 17°C on our first day. This particular morning, dark clouds rolled in from the north, and we figured we were in for it.

Not a drop of rain landed on us; the storm remained well offshore, likely heading to Cozumel to spoil someone else’s morning. This experience was a poignant reminder that many of the worries we hold on to are often unfounded, much like the storm that threatened to disrupt our day but ultimately never reached us.

I tend to worry about things on the horizon—things that I can see or imagine. I’m not sure if this is something learned or simply part of me. Every event like this that passes reminds me that nothing is imminent. Forces beyond our control can just as easily change the outcome, often for the better.

As I reflect on this, I find it crucial to remember that worrying can cloud our perspective, much like those dark clouds that seemed so foreboding. Instead of fretting about what might happen, we should embrace the uncertainty of life and trust that not every looming threat will come to pass.

So, as I consider the world events around us right now, I’m hopeful that, like these dark and threatening clouds, the challenges we see are merely passing shadows that may not be as dire as they appear. Choosing not to worry allows us to appreciate the brightness that often follows the storm, finding peace in the knowledge that sometimes, things are not as bad as they seem, or might be.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
Main Camera — 14 mm
1/1522 sec, ƒ/2.2, ISO 20