October 20, 2011
The monarch butterflies are here! They’re everywhere, and they are lovely! They’re not the standard yellow and black ones that I remember as a kid, but rather, a darker orange butterfly with smaller wings. Usually, I see them in pairs, which is a treat in its own right. As there are some great native wildflowers around right now, they are in their element, flitting about, dipping and dancing, full of energy and life.
My neighbor and her granddaughter looked up the Monarch, and found that the ones migrating through here are fourth generation! That the first three went through the whole series of pupae, larvae, etc., but lived only a short time, to finally produce this group that will fly to South America AND BACK within a year! That is some serious genetics!
They’ve been her for a couple of weeks now, with what seemed to be their peak last weekend. They were all over the place, in big numbers - I noticed a lot on the highway, dive bombing my car. I’m guessing those are not some that will be visiting South America.
It’s been a blessed treat to see so many of them, everywhere! Butterfly, in Indian Medicine, represents transformation and beauty. Two things I am glad to be living right now.
October 18, 2011
Life for me continues to get easier. Electronics have helped, certainly. I don’t have to remember phone numbers anymore - they’re in my phone. Heck, I don’t even have to DIAL phone numbers anymore! Just push a couple of buttons. And the internet keeps getting faster and faster, so I can buy online (save on driving and hunting), write letters online, (save on postage and paper!), find people online (eliminate 411 cost and hassle), and pay bills online. At the gas pump, I don’t have to go inside and pay anymore. Just swipe my card right there at the pump. Same with self service at the grocery store. It’s all around me, and I am oh, so grateful! I love ease!
Another area where my life has gotten easier and better overall is in my work. And it is through this that I’ve had something of an epiphany. When I first moved here, it seemed that EVERYthing was difficult, hard, challenging! Nothing was going smoothly, and when something DID happen, it seemed to be contrary to my desires. For example, I could not find a job anywhere in the area. It was high season, should’ve been a breeze to find something, but NO. I’d taken all the credit and coursework for my FL massage license, but wasn’t sure how long it would take, and even then, if I could find work in the field. So I was looking for work in just about every field imaginable! I even checked out being the ice cream truck gal! And couldn’t get THAT!!!
What I did finally get was a waitress job. A half hour away. (I don’t like to drive.) (Unless it’s a road trip!) It was at a BBQ place. (I’m a vegetarian/vegan.) The money was way minimal. And the owner and manager were on my bu-- every day, all day, about something that I hadn’t done right. Wow. Like my self esteem wasn’t already low enough. But I learned a lot in the time I was there, was truly grateful for the opportunity it offered me, and now have a tremendous appreciation for waiters - especially good ones!
While I was there, my license came in, and I could start looking for massage work, which I did immediately. So my second job here was doing beachside massage. Surely, a step up. Financially, geographically, and energetically. I was more in my element and closer to home, was doing what I knew and loved, and had more control over my schedule. AND I had a boss that had a way of pushing my “not enough” buttons. Once again, I was reminded of what all I wasn’t, couldn’t and shouldn’t. There seemed no escaping it! So I suffered through that for a while until I couldn’t stand it anymore. I found my limit, found my voice, and found a new respect from my teacher and boss.
From there, I have had 3 other employers, and each time, each one has a better space, a clearer sense of themselves, a kinder disposition, and better pay! The good news is that where I am now, I am loved, respected, and encouraged. It is so wonderful!!! I love being there, working there, being reminded of all that I AM, and being supported by others who are positive and moving through their challenges with courage and love.
It makes me excited to know that something even better is unfolding, and that each time something happens that I don’t like or that feels contrary to what I really desire, it is only showing up so I can be clear on what I DON’T want, and change what I can to be more in alignment with what I DO want. Understanding this has let me view the challenges as more like gifts, and that is huge to me! The more that I know the difficult situations and people are only ways to get me to where I want to be, the more willing I am to face my fears and deal with what is in front of me with courage, enthusiasm, and the expectation of a positive outcome!!!
