I sat on the deck this afternoon, enjoying the earthy smells of the woods following a rainstorm. The clouds were moving, chased away by the warming sun. I lit a cigar.
Then, interrupting my distracted gaze it appeared. It was a Monarch Butterfly, magnificent in its carefree romp around my yard. It zigged and it zagged, dipped and climbed but it always looked so easy. Dare I say carefree?
It seems to fly without a care, but I don’t think so. It has already endured so much, survived such a remarkable transition. It is not carefree. It is accomplished, full of purpose.
To live every moment of its short life.
Does its life span feel as long as mine? What if…he knows that he will die soon and is working against the clock to see and do as much as possible?
I can relate. Been there.
I am also looking at a short life. I crave fulfillment and fear lack of accomplishment. I have also been through a difficult transition and emerged a new me. I can’t sit still for very long because I am reminded that moments are few and not guaranteed and I get off the sofa.
The Monarch saw me waving to it, beckoning it to rest on my arm. He chose to keep flying and exploring. He had places to go. Resting on my arm would be a sofa in its own right.
Per usual, inspiration can be found in the smallest of things.
Superman found his phone booth 
If only we knew what the butterfly knows.
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I agree
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There’s something so magical about butterflies😊
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There sure is
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Indeed it does, as long as you are receptive to it
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I look for signs everywhere
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A lovely post Billy.
I pass several buddliah bushes on my walks round the estate with the dog. I will stop and admire one in particular, a deep purple and alive with butterflies, monarchs, tortoiseshells and peacocks are the only ones I recognise, but there are others. I move on with a spring in my step and wonder in my heart at something so beautiful and fragile.
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I love how you wrote about the life of a monarch………so beautiful and insightful
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Love this! Beautiful post! Live your life to the fullest my friend.
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I crave fulfillment and fear lack of accomplishment. Oh I hear you, my friend.
Inspirational!
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A beautiful, inspiring post.
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