LESSONS FROM A BUTTERFLY

and its finite time on earth

I follow the flight of a tiny butterfly as it flits from flower to flower. Its body is fragile, its lifespan short. In so many ways, its existence feels vastly insignificant, especially when compared to the complexities of the universe.

If human life is a blip in the history of the universe, the life of a butterfly is a blip within that blip. And yet, I see this butterfly living its finite time on earth in all its exuberance.

There is such richness in its existence; a lifetime of dazzling its way through the world in the company of flowers in meadows and gardens. It spends its time drinking sweet nectar, soaking in the sun, and dancing in daylight, before its final waltz into the sunset of life. Colourful and delicate, a butterfly is filled with a natural grace and lightness that has the power to draw forth a smile, elevate one’s spirit, and spread good vibes. And all this whilst carrying magic dust on its tiny feet from flower to flower to aid the process of pollination.

The lifespan of a butterfly is typically a few weeks, and yet, it uses this finite life to spread beauty, joy and helps nature prosper by the simple act of just being.

Such a fleeting existence for a creature so exquisite, I wonder?

But the butterfly does not waste precious moments on such trivial matters. It makes the most of what it has and gives back in abundance for every bit of magic it possesses. It arrives on earth in beauty and leaves the planet more beautiful for its being.

As the butterfly flits further away from me, I wonder - What do a few weeks mean to us humans?

For the urban populace, weeks zip past as we occupy ourselves with mundane things. It is often weeks before we find time to watch a sunset or spend time in nature, weeks before we call on our family and friends, weeks before we actually look at our reflection in the mirror carefully and mindfully. We often complain about not having time to do enough for ourselves, our loved ones and for the world.

Typically, humans live for around 4000 weeks. A butterfly lives for two.

Our vast lifespan is a gift. Can we then live this rich, exuberant life by just being happy with who we are? Can we try to not constantly ‘do’ things, but to rather just ‘be’? And most importantly, like the tiny butterfly, can we use this finite time that we have on earth to create infinite good, to spread love, beauty, joy?

This fleeting encounter with a fragile butterfly leaves me pondering over the concept of a lifetime and what we can make of it…

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