Quote of the Day: “How simple it is to see that all the worry in the world cannot control the future. How simple it is to see that we can only be happy now. And that there will never be a time when it is not now.” Gerald Jampolsky
One of the threads that continually winds through my blog and writings is that the acts of others, in an effort to brighten another’s world, are never simple or overstated. They are real and make such a difference to another in need. Taylor’s scripture for the week is Mosiah 2:17 which says: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” One prevalent thought that struck me when the Christmas rush was over is that I should have done so much more to help others in need and with that a promise that next year, I will make Christmas wonderful for another in need. Joe and Mickeleen Thomas brought over a gift with a story called The Dragonfly. This is my symbol of hope and healing.
The Dragonfly
“Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruption.
Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.
Then one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top.
When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful bluetailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying. So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed.
Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended.
But his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they too would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!”
So I read through this story and so realized that it could be interpreted in so many ways. I thought of my sister, Lynne, who I hope is flying high in another world. I have walked into our den lately, and the computer has a screen saver that randomly flashes pictures from our photos and so many are of Lynne. There we are on Bora Bora having the tropical time of our lives or Lynne is standing on the beach with the wind blowing her hair over her forehead. Happy pictures.
My other interpretation is of my body transformation. I hope the cancer is gone forever, I feel so good and strong. I have morphed from a “bettle” to a “dragonfly riding out a rainstorm”. Parts have been taken out, some exchanged for other parts but the true metamorphosis has taken place within my soul. I know this learning can only be got by suffering and then understanding.
(This picture of a dragonfly is National Geographic’s 2011 Photo Contest. As for this year’s National Geographic fielded 20,000 submissions from more than 130 countries for its Best of 2011 Photo Contest. Participants sent in photos of human interaction, city scenes, ocean views, and animals in an effort to receive the honor. The winner for this year’s contest hails from Indonesia and sent in a photo of a dragonfly riding out a rain storm. Shikhei Goh was awarded $10,000 and a trip to NatGeo’s Photography Seminar in 2012.)
I love this photo!!!