The Greater the Struggle

I have an incredible fascination with butterflies. I am not a lunatic and I don't have butterfly paraphernalia everywhere, just a few things here and there. Their beauty is so fleeting and their lives are so quick. They have moments to make their impact on this earth and they do so by flitting here and landing there, pausing only briefly to enjoy some nectar or the warmth of the sun. Butterflies are free but their existence is brief. And the transitions they go through during that short life are quite astonishing. Simple and sluggish (caterpillar) to almost dead (cocoon) to beautiful and lively...

There really is nothing like a butterfly. There are, however, perceptions that dwell in our own heads and in the minds of others about what true beauty is and what we are able to accomplish. Sometimes tasks or opportunities are given to us that seem completely overwhelming or mountains lay before us that appear bigger than we could possibly tackle. This is when you pull up your boots and say to yourself, "I think I can, I think I can." Or, if you are not too proud, you can reach out and ask for help. Still, other times, you just need to climb that mountain yourself.

Unlike the butterfly, there is plenty of time in our lives to learn, grow, and appreciate the struggles that have created the men and women we eventually become. Hopefully we become. There are many that say that there are no "do overs" in this life. I do not agree. Every day is an opportunity to do it over, to try and get it right. Like the movie Groundhog Day, remember that? I get knocked down but I get up again...

A friend of mine recently directed me to a short film called The Butterfly Circus. He knew the delight I take in butterflies and thought I would enjoy not only the title but also the content of the film. It contains a powerful message of transition and hope. I really couldn't help but share this with you on a Friday, a day (in Bonus Track past) reserved for messages of the Butterfly Effect.

We all face times of transition; these can be times of hope. My favorite line in the film is: "The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph."

You can do it. So can you. So can you. And so can I.

Enjoy: The Butterfly Circus

For more information about Nick Vujicic, you can simply Google, Wiki or YouTube him.

by rayannethorn

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barbara Ling on November 13, 2009 at 8:31am

That reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

What the caterpillar views to be the end of life...the butterfly sees as the beginning.

And to think - it's the same soul involved in both cases.

Great post, thanks!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Brian Meeks on November 13, 2009 at 12:38pm

Wonderful film. I am glad you shared this with us. I recommend it to anyone who has 20 minutes to spare, and wishes to be inspired.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robert Bialk on November 13, 2009 at 3:04pm

Thanks for the Friday inspiration.

Michael Landon must have loved Butterflies too with this qoute...

"Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows".

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ambrish Kochikar on November 13, 2009 at 4:54pm

Well conceived and eloquently stated! I like butterflies too..seeing one in a garden or just flying by randomly on a busy street leaves my mind filled with wonder and a tinge of envy. I mean, who wouldn't want to be perfectly symmetrical, bright and able to fly around instead of walking? :) Hapy Friday and great weekend, all!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Maureen Sharib on November 14, 2009 at 5:13am

Funny you bring up butterflies. I was just wondering about their short lifespans and marvelling how the Monarch Butterfly has time to cross oceans in the short two to eight weeks they live. Fall hatched Monarchs seem to live longer.)