The Closer Look: A Pocket Full of Sunshine.
As winter is beginning to end here in Wellington I am feeling thankful. I try to not mind the cold and wet, it’s sort of what you sign up for when living in Wellington. I try and claim that I don’t mind the cold and the wet, If I’m honest I really don’t mind it. As the days begin to get longer and the sun shows its face a little more than it used to I am re-realising just how much better summer is. Sure I can tolerate the wet or cold, but barely ever enjoy it like most people enjoy the sunshine. One of the key things that has allowed me to get through the winter is my jacket.
Whilst on a trip to Dunedin earlier this year I acquired a new jacket. It's quite possibly one of the best purchases I have ever made. Whilst the jacket itself is a good jacket, its premier feature in my mind is its bright yellow colour. Yellow in most contexts represents happiness and joy. It's often associated with a passive or easy-going stance. As with most things, context is important. In the context of Wellington weather, the colour yellow speaks more to courageous and defiant hope. When I see someone else wearing yellow jacket or clutching a yellow umbrella, they stand out. Yellow is colour designed to be seen rather than blend in, I feel like I’m part of the growing wet weather resistance. The colour yellow on wet weather gear not only physically repels but also mentally repels the wet weather blues. If I’m honest it's been a hard winter for Wellington. We have been slammed with job cuts, political dysfunction, restaurants, and retail closures. I think anyone who lives here has felt this loss of momentum. But there are pockets of hope in and amongst the dreary news cycle. I believe the only way to find the good, is to go find it. You have to choose to look for it. Hope is a choice, not a saviour. I don’t think that a yellow jacket fixes all the problems of the world or stops the weather from getting bad. My yellow jacket has at least given me what I needed to get through winter, and maybe even brightened a few other people's days as well.
Next time you are In the market for a jacket and you walk into it will be lined with with black or navy colours, think again. Remember the joy which the brighter colours can hold. I particularly ask that you consider the option of the yellow rain jacket. It may change your life, why not have a bit of sunshine on your sleeve for whenever you need it?
Much love, be blessed,
Jesse