Most smaller species, the ones we usually see fluttering about in our home gardens, on flower pots on our window sills, on plants by the side of the road, live an average lifespan of a mere few days to two weeks as butterflies. Just enough time to spread its wings and explore the world around it, to jump from one flower to another and taste the sweet nectar found in each one, to soar as high as its wings can carry it. Yeah, butterflies have time enough.
They have enough time to live a life well-lived because they do not spend their time thinking about what kind of flowers they would land on, which garden has better flowers.
True, comparing the way we live our lives to the way butterflies do would be an over-simplification. It's way more complicated. Or is it? Whatever, there's a lesson to be learned here. Over our lifetimes, if we're fortunate and careful enough, we may get to spend 70 birth anniversaries. Alright, we'd hardly remember if at all the first few ones, but how many Christmas memories can we look back at that can make us sigh a happy sigh? Make us nod our heads with a smile on our face and think, yes, those were happy days. How many cold, rainy nights were you able to spend cuddling under the covers with loved ones, keeping each other warm and making each other feel safe? How many good laughs were you able to share with people who complete your life? How many times were you there for that loved one who needed a hug, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold?
How many times were you able to experience a moment of happiness without making someone else feel sad? Get on a higher plain without having to step on and push someone down? How much unnecessary baggage were you able to put down? How many trespasses were you able to forgive, whether inflicted by someone else or yourself?
Today's generation shout YOLO! You Only Live Once, the acronym can often be seen as a caption to an image of someone taking chances, dreaming and daring. It's the Gen-Y-ers' version of Horace's Carpe Diem.
How many times did you want, desire, dream and how many times did you stand up and make it happen? How were you able to make the world a little better than when you were here for those whose life journeys are just about to begin?
We all have our caterpillar stages, spend some time in our respective pupae, but we all get to be butterflies... and when we do, it's up to us what to do with those wings. We only live once, and it's enough - enough time in this world if only we don't forget what it's all about: happiness.
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