Seldom does a rainbow fail to raise a smile when one see one. Yet when one thinks about it, a rainbow usually appears after some fairly stormy or wet weather…and in the UK we are always happy to moan about the bad weather.

I am old enough and have travelled extensively to have experienced rainbows many times, yet I am always in awe when I see one. Especially as impressive as the one in the picture. Often, they remind me of other times, and I will stop if I can…as I did on this occasion.

Later I shared the picture with a few people, some I had a reaction from, some I didn’t.

Many years ago, I came across a saying that goes something like this…”the work will wait while you show a child the rainbow but the rainbow won’t wait while you do the work”. So true and a solid reminder that we don’t need to be a child in age to stop what we are doing to enjoy the moment, if we can.

But how often do we?

There is a message that needs posting or answered; the email to do; the deadline to meet; the destination to reach; the next appointment to attend; the statement - ‘I’ve got to go!’ So often because we have too little space in our day – or if one changes that, because we don’t make the space in our days. Or busyness or escape is valued more.

One thing I have learnt over the years is that the deep value is made in that ‘little bit extra’. Few people will venture into that extra distance or ‘go the extra mile’.

The friend who stays to help clear up, the extra hug when someone leaves rather than the peck on the cheek, stopping to ‘stand and stare’, savouring rather than scoffing. And shudder the thought of opening up a new conversation by saying ‘tell me more’, knowing that a new conversation may evolve.

In this picture I was also caught by the way the light had intensified the surrounding scenery with the stone tower on the distant hill standing out so clearly. More is noticed, more depth appreciated.

On this evening I on was on the way to a music performance by a well know saxophonist and ensemble – it took but a few moments and I was not late. An additional memory credited into my ‘memory bank’…the deposit even greater had I been with someone but valuable nonetheless.

So, when you next see a rainbow what will you feel, what will you think, what will you really notice, more importantly what will you do?

My best wishes,

Peter