Recalling a Moment of Taking Values-Based Action

Eddie Rabbit loves a rainy night. Ann Pebbles, Eruption, and Tina Turner can’t stand the rain. Freddie Mercury loves to ride his bicycle. Me? I like riding my bike as long as it isn’t raining.

I’d often cycle from my place to my girlfriend’s house when I was in my late teens. She lived just north of the city and I lived in the south.

On one rare occasion, we were both riding bikes. I can’t recall where we’d been, but I know we were heading to her house.

Then it started raining.

I sped up when I felt the first raindrops. I’m taller than her and have cycled more often, so she had trouble keeping up.

As the distance between us grew, she started shouting at me to slow down. I yelled at her to sped up.

After a while, I jumped off my bike and waited for her. I apologised and we hugged. Then we walked the rest of the way, holding hands in the pouring rain.

That moment in the rain remains a precious memory 35 years on. I still hate getting caught in the rain. But I value connection even more.

We’re no longer a couple. Yet, I’m often reminded to use my experiences to inform my behaviour. Rather than remaining stuck in my habits and rules, I keep challenging myself to be willing to experience unpleasant thoughts and feelings in the service of my values.