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| from "Our Butterfly Struggle" by Dominique Liongson |
Before I give a sharing, here are some Easter jokes:
Q: How does Easter end?
A: With the letter R!
Q: What does the Easter Rabbit get for making a basket?
A: Two points just like everybody!
Q: What part did the Easter egg play in the movies?
A: He was an "Egg-stra".
Easter is coming. Upon reflecting on the symbols of Easter, I have difficulty relating with the Crucifix, the Easter Bunny, and the Easter Eggs. Even if I look at the origin of these symbols with a serious outlook, I couldn't relate with them. It's fine with me if you can identify with any of them. Let me tell you why I don't...
I think the butterfly is my kind of Easter, and the Christ is just like that butterfly.
If you remember in primary school, we were taught the life cycle of the butterfly: first, the egg; second, the caterpillar; third, the cocoon; and finally, the butterfly.
When Christ was born, He was like the egg hatching into a caterpillar. Secondly, when He lives His life, He was like the caterpillar living the present to build its future. Thirdly, when He died, He was like a caterpillar "dying" in a cocoon formation. And finally, when He resurrected and left His tomb, He was like a new butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
If butterflies have life cycles, we do, too. We can have several life cycles, where every hatching moment can be new beginnings: new school level, new job, new marriage, new baby, and so on. The emerging butterfly may be the end of the life cycle, but would you believe that endings are gateways to new beginnings? The end of cocoon life is the start of butterfly life; the end of schooling is the start of a career; the end of single-hood is the start of married life; the end of pregnancy is the start of a baby's earthly life; and so on.
Q: How does Easter end?
A: With the letter R!
Q: What does the Easter Rabbit get for making a basket?
A: Two points just like everybody!
Q: What part did the Easter egg play in the movies?
A: He was an "Egg-stra".
Easter is coming. Upon reflecting on the symbols of Easter, I have difficulty relating with the Crucifix, the Easter Bunny, and the Easter Eggs. Even if I look at the origin of these symbols with a serious outlook, I couldn't relate with them. It's fine with me if you can identify with any of them. Let me tell you why I don't...
I think the butterfly is my kind of Easter, and the Christ is just like that butterfly.
If you remember in primary school, we were taught the life cycle of the butterfly: first, the egg; second, the caterpillar; third, the cocoon; and finally, the butterfly.
When Christ was born, He was like the egg hatching into a caterpillar. Secondly, when He lives His life, He was like the caterpillar living the present to build its future. Thirdly, when He died, He was like a caterpillar "dying" in a cocoon formation. And finally, when He resurrected and left His tomb, He was like a new butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
If butterflies have life cycles, we do, too. We can have several life cycles, where every hatching moment can be new beginnings: new school level, new job, new marriage, new baby, and so on. The emerging butterfly may be the end of the life cycle, but would you believe that endings are gateways to new beginnings? The end of cocoon life is the start of butterfly life; the end of schooling is the start of a career; the end of single-hood is the start of married life; the end of pregnancy is the start of a baby's earthly life; and so on.
I have experienced the circle as a stuck boring routine. No chance of growth and expect the same things to happen (just like Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" movie). This happens when we refuse to adjust to every transformational change. This is what happens when we let things happen.
I gave the spiral a chance. It may have its ups and downs, but I learned the best parts are: it evolves and improves. It is when we adjust to every transformational change and move on. This is what happens when we make things happen.
If you recall in "Groundhog Day", Phil (Bill Murray) kept living the same events from the time he wakes till the end of the day, because he lets things happen. This kept repeating-- accidents, rejection, boredom, and so on. When he couldn't take it anymore, he decided to make things happen, than to let things happen. His accidents were reduced; the woman of this dreams accepted him; and life became more interesting.
Letting things happen is the way of the circle. Making things happen is the way of the spiral.
It feels good to see ourselves with a new improved present compared to our silly past, doesn't it? I suppose the nautilus shellfish, too, can testify the way of the spiral as the way to go.
Have a Happy Butterfly Easter! We are more capable than just hopping and egg-rolling about all our lives. Why be ground-ed when you can fly?
If you recall in "Groundhog Day", Phil (Bill Murray) kept living the same events from the time he wakes till the end of the day, because he lets things happen. This kept repeating-- accidents, rejection, boredom, and so on. When he couldn't take it anymore, he decided to make things happen, than to let things happen. His accidents were reduced; the woman of this dreams accepted him; and life became more interesting.
Letting things happen is the way of the circle. Making things happen is the way of the spiral.
It feels good to see ourselves with a new improved present compared to our silly past, doesn't it? I suppose the nautilus shellfish, too, can testify the way of the spiral as the way to go.
Have a Happy Butterfly Easter! We are more capable than just hopping and egg-rolling about all our lives. Why be ground-ed when you can fly?
:-( -> :-| -> :-)
DL
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DL
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"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you."
--A.A. MilneWinnie the Pooh
