Useful practice these days in Ireland, with its mix of sunshine and heavy showers….

There is something to be learned from being out in the rain. When you get caught out by a sudden shower, your first instinct is not to get wet and you run quickly along the road. But in doing so you have to run under the eaves of the houses and you still get wet. However, when you are balanced from the beginning, you will not get annoyed, even though you will get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything in life.

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, 1659 – 1719, author Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai.

photo Frankie Fouganthin