Eastern Tailed Blue
Man is surprised to find that things near
are not less beautiful and wondrous
than things remote.
The near explains the far.
The drop is a small ocean.
A man is related to all nature.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
You know how, when you walk across the lawn, little white butterflies flutter all about?
We find them unremarkable for their familiarity.
But up close: detailed, colorful, precise.
Beautiful.
And with a little tail.
About five months have passed since I resolved to live an examined life. To be mindful of each moment, to seek out the miracles in the everyday, to weigh my choices, to stop allowing life to be something that happens to me but rather live each day of my life.
Bad things still happen with startling regularity. I still make poor choices sometimes. The difference?
When these things happen, rather than dwelling on them and becoming morose, depressed, withdrawn; I go outside and unearth the jewels and treasures in my own yard. I revel in the miracle that is my children. I take comfort in the sense of community I have found here, when perfect strangers and old friends take the time to show encouragement for my silly pictures and emotional ramblings.
I have begun to forge new connections in the real world, and for me, a lifelong “shy person”, this is a new and exciting adventure.
I feel lucky. I feel rich. I feel alive.
. I kept stopping to read the kids all my old favorites.