It was April 26, 2025. My second daughter was about to have her sweet seventeenth party at our place. The plan was a garden party, so it was all set to be outdoors. We checked the forecast, and it looked like the weather would be on our side. Plus, the dry season is coming in. It had been a week since the rain had been pouring down. So, we were feeling confident about her garden party being a hit. The food was ready, the decorations were all set, the sound system was good to go, and everything was in place! Guests were rolling in, and when everyone finally gathered, the host kicked off the event. Everything seems to be going smoothly, and then, out of nowhere, a small thunderstorm decides to crash in the sky. I was in denial, thinking it was just a passing thing. It was just thunder, right? It couldn’t be a sign of anything! (Oh, silly me!). And then suddenly, bam! The rain, yes, the rain, showed up, crashed her party. Acting like it was a main character. Did it really forget that it was my daughter’s special day? And then, what happened next was history. We still managed to continue the party and saved the food (the most important thing!). Even though the plan was ruined, the decorations were messy as hell, the party must go on, my daughter and her friends were still happy, and the rest of the events went smoothly.
But here’s the thing, it’s already four times I tried to throw an outdoor party, thinking the weather would cooperate, and suddenly it betrays me in the chest! Seriously, you didn’t hear it wrong, four times, for crying out loud! Now, I have a feeling, I think it didn’t like me to have a hit party, jealous or what? Pardon me, I’m so fed up that I swear, I’m never doing an outdoor party again at my place! Sigh, I’ve had enough.
But then I started wondering, why did I keep blaming the rain? What a silly thought! Honestly, rain is like a gift from God, especially in Islam. It’s seen as a blessing because it brings life to everything around us. It waters the plants, fills our rivers, and is a perfect time for prayers since it’s believed our prayers get more attention from Him during these moments. Seriously, when it rains, we Muslims should appreciate it because it shows that He cares about us. So, that means the rain isn’t against me, right? Quite the opposite, God sends it our way to bless us. (I really want to keep thinking this way and hold on to this positive vibe!)
This isn’t about the rain anymore, it’s about me! If someone has to be blamed, it’s definitely me. I mean, come on, I’ve thrown three outdoor parties only to have them ruined by the rain, so what on earth am I keeping trying? Isn’t that just ridiculous? What? Yes, I can hear you say I’m kinda nuts. Indeed, I don’t train my brain to expect the worst. If I actually did, I’d just have the party inside instead of risking it outside. Or hey, maybe I could keep the food inside and have the party outside, and if it rains, I just shuffle everyone indoors. If I thought that way, I wouldn’t be so annoyed by the rain. I guess knowing that tough times are inevitable helps us cope when they come. By getting ahead of possible challenges, I can chill out and handle things a lot smoother when they go sideways. I really should note how important it is to plan for different situations, so we’re not completely thrown off and can stay calm when things get tough. It’s not about being down or anything; it’s just about keeping it real and being thankful for what we have now. So yeah, it’s kinda a warning against being overly optimistic without any backup plan. By accepting that things might not go our way, we can come up with smart ways to handle them, which leads to a more level-headed and prepared mindset.
That’s my friend, the key point that Stoicism teaches us. Premeditatio Malorum. To always prepare and expect the worst. Instead of pretending bad things won’t happen, we calmly imagine setbacks: Loss, failure, illness, betrayal — ahead of time. Don’t worry, this practice doesn’t make us pessimistic; it makes us more resilient, realistic, and grateful for what we have now. I may say I’m a stoic at heart (someone who seeks inner peace by mastering themselves, not the outside world), but it turns out sometimes it slips on my finger. That’s why it’s important to train our minds to practice it, so we will stay steady no matter what comes.
The man who has anticipated the coming of troubles takes away their power when they arrive.” – Seneca, Letters to Lucillus.
Love,
Kirana
PS: The cover pic was before “IT” crashed the party. I guess you don’t want to see after. LOL.
