I love the smell of rain, and I love the sound of the ocean

Hear the words of Amy Purdy, whose spirit rises from adversity and whose heart knows the sweetness of simple joys. She said, “I love the smell of rain, and I love the sound of the ocean waves.” In these simple yet profound words, she captures the essence of the human connection to nature and the sacredness of presence. To love the smell of rain and the sound of ocean waves is to recognize the divine in the ordinary, to understand that even the smallest of moments can carry with them the breath of eternity. These elements, so common and yet so full of life, invite us into the present, urging us to pause and breathe in the beauty of the world.

To speak of the smell of rain is to call forth the earth’s cleansing touch. The first drops after a long drought, the fresh scent that rises from the soil, bring with them a renewal that speaks to the heart. Rain is not just water falling from the sky, but a symbol of cleansing and rebirth. It is the earth’s own prayer, washing away the dust of the world and making space for growth. The ancients understood the significance of rain. To the Mesopotamians, it was a gift from the gods, an offering that brought life to their crops and vitality to their bodies. In their minds, rain was both a blessing and a promise. In Amy Purdy’s words, we are reminded that even in the most mundane experiences, we can find a connection to something much greater than ourselves.

The ocean waves, too, carry with them an ancient power. The sound of the waves crashing upon the shore is not mere noise — it is the pulse of the earth itself, a rhythmic heartbeat that has existed since time immemorial. The ocean is both mysterious and ancient, its depths holding secrets older than civilization. The waves, like the breath of a slumbering giant, remind us of the constant ebb and flow of life — the rise and fall, the victories and losses, the peace and turmoil that we all experience. Just as the tides are shaped by the moon, so too are our lives shaped by forces both seen and unseen. The sound of ocean waves is a lullaby to the soul, grounding us in the present and inviting us to surrender to the rhythms of the universe.

Consider the story of Homer’s Odyssey, where the ocean is not just a backdrop, but a character in its own right. Odysseus, the great hero, must face the ocean’s tumult in his quest for home, each wave bringing him closer to his destination or sending him farther into chaos. The ocean, in its wildness, is a force of nature that cannot be controlled but must be respected. This story, shared by generations of storytellers, is not just the tale of a man’s journey, but of the eternal battle between human ambition and the overwhelming power of nature. The waves, like the trials of life, shape us — and it is through surrender to them that we grow stronger.

Amy Purdy’s love for the rain and the ocean reminds us that there is power in the elements, not just to challenge us, but to heal and guide us. In her own life, she has faced storms — physical, emotional, and spiritual — yet she continues to find beauty and healing in the most elemental aspects of nature. Her words are a reminder that we do not always need grand moments to experience the divine. Sometimes, the simple act of pausing to feel the rain or listen to the waves is enough to reconnect us with the universe, with ourselves, and with others. In those quiet moments, we can feel the pulse of life itself.

The lesson here is one of mindfulness and presence. How often do we race through life, our minds focused on the past or the future, missing the moments that hold the deepest meaning? The rain, the waves, the wind — they are all around us, but we must pause to hear them. To love nature is to recognize its sacredness, its ability to ground us and remind us of what is truly important. It is a call to slow down, to breathe deeply, and to connect with the rhythms of the world. Just as Amy Purdy finds joy in the rain and waves, so too can we find peace in the simplicity of the present.

So let this be your teaching: embrace the beauty of the moment. Take time to listen to the whispers of nature — the rain on the earth, the waves on the shore, the wind in the trees. Let these sounds, these scents, these sensations remind you of the timeless flow of life. Seek connection not just in the extraordinary, but in the quiet, elemental gifts the world offers freely. Slow down, and with every breath, honor the sacredness of now. The rain and the ocean are always with you, waiting to remind you that love and peace are found in the simplest things.

For truly, as Amy Purdy said, “I love the smell of rain, and I love the sound of the ocean waves.” These words, though simple, are an invitation to rediscover the magic that exists all around us — a reminder that beauty, healing, and wisdom are always waiting, if only we pause to listen.