Flopping in the wind…

Today as I was waiting for my turn to pull out into traffic, I looked to the side of the van and noticed a butterfly flopping in the wind. It must have gotten injured on a bypassing car, but it kept trying to fly, in spite of the injury. It had purposeful movements, and I was tempted to get out and try to help it, but resisted.

As I watched it struggle, I was reminded of  the many pictures this could portray for us, in our lives and more particularly, my own life. 

This past weekend, I went to a writing retreat. I spent some time reflecting on my writing journey, my life and the future. There are so many things that frustrate, excite and yet also frighten me to my very core. I was reminded when I started to get frustrated with myself, that I was actually just beginning this journey. I know my road is going to be filled with lots of “cars” I am going to be bounced off of, and left floundering on the ground, struggling to fly, like the butterfly. 

Some of the lovely people I spent the weekend with at the writing retreat. 

I know that also, it is going to be filled with other humans that will pick me up in an attempt to be encouraging. There will also be the times they will hurt me without meaning to as well. 

Today, I got two encouraging notes sent to me. They both came at a time when I really needed them.  One of the notes, let me know that my journey is not one I should be giving up on. It is a path that I am meant to be on and there is a purpose to it. 

I have a long way to go before my fiction that I want to write is publisher worthy, and every year, the book publishing business looks different. However, I am realizing that I am determined. I am not going to let being blown by the wind all over the road, after being knocked down by fast moving vehicles on the road of life, I will get up, and keep flying. 

I don’t know what knocked you down this week, and has left you reeling and flapping all over the road, but I will just encourage you. Let the hard things in your day make you better. Work to let them refine you and maybe write a book about the hard things. After all, remember the people in your life that are not the nicest give you great characters for stories. 

(See, there is always a silver lining in everything!)

I know that the poor butterfly likely didn’t live much longer after I saw him, but I am thankful that I was able to see it and learn a lesson from his short life. 

Have a wonderful day!