I was on my morning run, when a few feet ahead a big brown leaf tumbled to the ground. Leaves are nothing unusual, but what I saw next was. On the ground was a large tan butterfly, with beautiful blue eye markings on the lower wings and small almost mirror like eye markings on the upper. I have seen and photographed butterflies, but none were this big or this beautiful.
I bent down to pick it up and expected it to fly away. Instead it stumbled and flitted, but couldn’t take flight. I gently picked it up, thoroughly amazed at its beauty and fragility. I placed in my hand or should I say on it; it was large enough to cover my hand.
It made a feeble attempts to fly, but would just fall to the ground. I wasn’t sure if it was injured or in it’s final moments. Regardless, I was going to give it a safe place and I gently placed one hand over the other as if I was carrying a fragile glass and walked at a slow pace.
The slower pace was actually quite welcome. I really didn’t feel like running anyway because I feel like I’m always running somewhere; to work, to the grocery store, to do the laundry, etc.
Eventually I removed one hand and it just sat in my palm. Of course, I had nothing to capture a picture with and wanted to turn around and go home. I was a mile away so I just stayed the course. No sense in turning this peaceful moment into a rush adventure just to capture a photo.
As I rounded a curve, the butterfly crawled up my palm and sat on the edge of my hand. It was like it wanted to see where we were going. It sat there taking in the view as the path meandered around the golf course and near the trees.
And then it happened; it went tipped forward off my palm, tumbled down to toward the ground, and……unexpectedly took flight. Further and further it flew, climbing higher as it went, and eventually settling into a tall tree. I stood there in amazement and yet a little sad. Like all animal releases, you’re glad to see it return to the wild, but sad to see it go.
I carried on with my walk and realized how nice it was to provide a safe place from the world for the butterfly to just recoup and gather its bearings. I could use one of those little breaks!
Shortly after returning home, a friend called;”want to take a ride?”. I was cooking breakfast, had a full day of tasks planned, but I said “lets go!”. We took the scenic drive near the ocean, had a long relaxing lunch, and spent the day doing nothing particular with no schedule. It was exactly what we both needed to let go, regroup, and renergize.
Sometimes we can get a little beat up and making our way can be difficult. We flit about, here and there, not really making any progress. Taking a short break from it all to regroup (with a good friend really helps) can be just what we need to get off the ground and take flight again.
This is an excerpt from my new book Climb that Fence, take that Leap which is a compilation of animal stories and the life insights I observed. I wrote it to encourage people to make positive changes and bring more awareness to the animals. Available on Amazon, I hope you enjoy the stories and I’d love to hear yours, so feel free to drop me a line.
Things Come Alive with Attention:
Ever since I took Keiko (my cat) to the park that day and let her out every evening, she was wired. Every morning she was under foot, walking around the kitchen and living room. I’d be upstairs getting dressed and here would come this spindly, almost wobbly cat blasting up the stairs.
At times, it was really annoying to hear the constant meowing, so I’d pick her up. “What is your problem?” I’d ask. I thought she might be in pain. As soon as I picked her up, all I heard was the familiar sound of contentment: purring.
What had changed with her? I had not given her any different medicine, and she had become skinnier by the day. But something was obviously different.
Let’s see, she went from just hanging around the house and receiving whatever “leftover” attention I had to being the first to receive attention. She received my attention first and foremost, and we spent quality time together.
Even if I had other things I “should have” been doing, I took time to make sure she went outside and had fun. The more time I spent with her, the more alive she became.
Just like a plant that requires water regularly, we all need regular, meaningful attention—validation that we are loved, that someone cares, that we make a difference. Without that knowing, we become lethargic and lost, and we lose hope.
When we think that no one cares, it often shows. It is easy to put on a tough exterior and give the appearance that we don’t care, but deep down it can be pretty lonely on our own.
The basic need to be loved is universal among people and animals. Pets fill that need and do it unconditionally. No matter the day, our relationship, or our status, our pets love us anyway. That’s why we enjoy them so much and why they’re often used in therapy. There’s something soothing about petting a happy fur ball.
Stop and think right now: Where can you show some attention that would make a difference? Where have you taken someone/a pet for granted? Write a thank you note, make a phone call, bring home dinner, turn off the TV, etc. Take a few minutes out of your day and give some love.
Just a few minutes is all it takes. You’ll be surprised how alive someone will feel. Guess what, so will you!!!
“Wow, why does my house smell like a cat shelter?” I had just came in from an after work bike ride and my house smelled like poop. The litter boxes were clean. My friends all have cats, often two, and their house doesn’t smell like this, what gives?
The litter box is upstairs, I clean the carpets regularly but the smell is like an evil ghost that likes to torment you periodically for no apparent reason.
I looked at my two furballs and they just looked back with a “what’s your problem” look on their face.
Then it dawned on me…….I know what happens in the litter box, but aside from scooping, I don’t do anything to counteract it. I may burn incense if its really bad, but I don’t have a constant source of fresh air.
How often is my mind just like that? Just like when I came in the house, my mind was pretty distraught and upset. That’s not unusual, just part of the human existence. If I’m going to change that mood though, I’m going to have to “freshen the air” and make sure there are plenty of positive thoughts and interactions to fend off those occasional stinky ones.
For the house, I bought new candles, leave the windows open, and brought a couple of plants inside. I’m sure there will still be some smelly days, but now I’m bringing some “fresh air” in.
For my mind; I’m meditating, reading inspiring works, and doing things that enlighten me. Yeah, I still have some “stinky” days, but I’m providing a constant source of “fresh air” to carry that occasional stink out.
If things are looking less than ideal, maybe its time to turn the tide and freshen the air.
Wow, I feel great!!
I rolled out of bed early Monday morning. I haven’t felt this good in weeks!! Usually I’m up early and ready to tackle the day but the last few weeks I had no ambition to get up. I forced myself during the week so I could go to work, but the weekend would find me in bed till 8 or 9am. Normally I’m up early on weekends running, walking, biking or some other activity. I told myself “I need the rest” but inside I knew something was not right and I hadn’t quite put my finger on it.
Today I was back to my old self which was an eye opening realization when I looked back at the last few weeks. It is amazing how we can change so quickly, either direction! Of course, the meditation of the day was all about what changed and how.
I reviewed the events of the weekend: took some cool videos of the ocean. Went to church and heard a great lesson on love. Took my new bike out for an inaugural ride and totally loved it. I fixed a friend’s pc so he could get online again. I installed a new outlet for my elderly neighbor so he could connect his new computer, etc.
What did all of these events have in common? These are all things I just love to do! The entire weekend was filled with activities that bring me purpose, that keep me in the moment, that teach me, opportunities to give, and more. Activities which nourish my soul.
Starting the week vibrant, positive, and thankful brought a wave of unexpected good things and it has been amazing to just watch things fall together. Not only do I feel better, but everything else is showing up better.
Too often we think we don’t have time or get caught up in the daily routine. In reality, it doesn’t take a lot of effort or money to nourish your soul. Simple things often have the most benefit.
Take a walk under the evening stars, get up early and watch the sunrise, write a story, take some fun photos, snuggle up under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate. This is a fun one; make a batch of cookies and visit your neighbor who lives alone.
Just as our bodies respond to the quality of food we intake, our soul responds to the quality of life we choose. When you do those things that bring you joy and fulfillment your soul and body will thank you with vibrancy and happiness. Now where did I put my cup of hot chocolate?
As I held the heart shaped crystal in my hand, all you could see was a tiny sliver. The rest was covered by my fingers. I didn’t think much of it, that’s how I always held it. Then one day, I decided to open my fingers and let the stone rest in my palm. The full colors and beauty shown and could be viewed from all angles. Wow, it was pretty when it wasn’t covered up.
I bet you think this is a story about opening your heart. Close, but not what you think. I began to look a little deeper and realized an important lesson. With the stone sitting in my palm, its beauty could radiate in all directions.
Here’s what I realized that made an amazing change in my life. We’ve all heard about letting love in and opening our heart. Agreed….but for me, letting love OUT was a big key.
Recently I’ve experimented with opening my heart and letting love flow from all directions to everyone. I have my boundaries of course and no way am I being a doormat!!
But, I’ve just allowed love to flow as much as possible without expectations. Drivers not paying attention, less than motivated co-workers asking the same dumb questions, rude people, etc. Of course don’t forget the big one; myself and my quirks. I’ve made a conscious effort to be kind and either attempt to find the good in all interactions or just let it go.
Guess what has happened in literally days? People go out of their way to be friendly to me, major issues seem have become much easier to resolve and several of my goals, are just falling into place almost effortlessly. Even my cats sit next to me more instead of hanging outside. You know if your cats accept you, you’re doing something right!!!
This doesn’t mean everything is just blissful. Life challenges still arise and have to be dealt with, bills need to paid, groceries bought, the cars still need fuel, dinner has to be cooked, laundry done and the house still doesn’t clean itself. Darn!!
And don’t think I’m perfect now either. Ha! I still feel fear, pain, anger, and can spout off a tirade of expletives at the drop of a hat. But hey I’m on a journey of learning. I’m not perfect and thank god, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself!
As you wander this road of life, try letting love out and see what happens. If we all did, there’d be a whole lot more love in the world and that would be a very good thing.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for this”, my friend said. Life’s roller coaster was in full pull and now here was an unexpected opportunity for something good. He had been through a lot the past few months and was still a bit lost and confused about things.
He asked for guidance several times and the guidance in all cases confirmed that the opportunity in front of him was a good thing. He still wasn’t sure he was ready though. He really wanted things to calm down first.
As I listened to him, I began to reflect on my life. Some of my most memorable achievements happened when I wasn’t ready. They just appeared and sometimes I didn’t have a choice. I remember returning to work after vacation and withnin 10 minutes told I was in charge of an enterprise project. A project I have never done before with a lot of high stakes. I was anything but ready, but I figured it out as I went.
Those moments when I “wasn’t ready” is where I learned the most; to step up, to ask for help, to follow guidance, that I was capable of way more than I thought, and to follow my heart.
For me, ideally life should be all organized and tidy before things occur. I want them to happen on my time, when I’m ready. Don’t we all right? How much would we really grow and learn if life happened exactly when we thought we were ready?
Course, am I ever really ready? It’s easy to become a victim of analysis paralysis. I can make plenty of excuses for not being ready and if I followed those, not much would happen. Its life happening, when it happens, that stretches me, that makes me grow the most. I don’t always like it, but it is what it is.
By having faith and following guidance, we can be sure that whatever happens we can handle, even if we don’t think so. When life is good, it’s easy to agree. However, when it seems everything is in upheaval and here comes one more thing is when you really question it. It is at these times that we learn the most and become stronger.
Corporate projects, relationships, family issues, unexpected vacation opportunities, and more. Life often happens when we don’t think we’re ready. Yet that is precisely when we need to move forward.
Life is here to be lived, ready or not.
