Graphic by Nate Barton
Last week, an onslaught of rain struck California, creating some chaos and confusion.
On Sunday alone, many areas of California were flooded with up to four inches of rain, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Many saw this harsh storm as something destructive – causing rockslides, power outages, mudslides, and flooding cars and homes.
Personally, I’m from Massachusetts, where massive hurricanes or blizzards are common, so I was very surprised to hear friends worry over what would be a typical spring storm back home.
This was made incredibly apparent Friday afternoon when, immediately after getting the automated message announcing classes being cancelled, my mother called me in a panic.
“Are you OK? Are you safe? Are you inside?”
The questions flooded in as fast as the rain outside.
I understood my mother’s alarm. In Massachusetts, school is only cancelled under extreme circumstances, such as three feet of snow or a widespread power outages. She thought the rain had to be catastrophic for classes to actually be cancelled.
However, unlike my mother, many of my friends decided to use their off day to have fun. With the help of a few skimboards and some rope, they towed one another across the flooded track. They hardly even seemed to notice the chill in the air or the brisk temperature of the water. I could hear the laughter and cheering from my dorm on Lower Dorm Row.
Last week reminded me that there are two different approaches to challenges – either let them cause stress or find something beautiful from it.
For many, this is your first semester at Pepperdine. For others, it is your last semester in Malibu for a year while you travel abroad. For most seniors, this is your last semester at Pepperdine.
So rather than getting caught up in the worrying over every little detail this semester, learn to relax and enjoy people and your surroundings.
College and thinking about your future can be stressful, but don’t forget to dance in the rain every once in a while.
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Follow Madeleine Carr on Twitter: @madeleinecarr23
