I’m not much for confrontation.
Blast me with anger, accusations or vitriol and I’ll be ready to leap out of my own skin.
At times I’ll weave a tapestry of butterflies to protect myself from the onslaught of negativity.
Worse, I might put my deflectors on and direct some of that negative energy right back at the source.
Much as I’d like to say I’m more enlightened than that, it is my human and most natural initial response.
When I’m separated from the intensity of the situation, I can remember that each of us is on our own human journey, each of us has our own challenges and difficulties.
In the moment, though? It’s hard to see past the distorted expressions and amped up words to the person struggling under the weight of them.
I wish I could say that I am always able to accept all people and trust the universe that all that is, is meant to be.
But faced with such a barrage, my good intentions often shatter.
So what can we do about these difficult situations?
Butterflies!
You knew that was coming, didn’t you?
But really, I think this could work.
You know what it’s like to receive butterflies – how they feel calm and beautiful and they bring wonder and security and every thing you need in that moment.
You also know that sending butterflies to someone is like sending them a big warm hug and showering them with all of the things they need, energetically of course.
Butterflies can be a beautiful energy lift, or can offer healing and comfort to the sick and the grieving.
This is really the basis of all that we do along the Butterfly Way.
Envisioning butterflies opens my heart and makes space for the flow of the Universe. Yours, too.
When my heart is open, that beautiful energy of the universe can spill out from me and into the world around me.
Ripples that touch the shores of the people near to my heart.
Butterflies that bring Beauty, Wonder and everything we need.
So the next time someone is throwing their negativity at you, try throwing back….
butterflies!
Let that blast hit you, load it up on butterflies, and use its own momentum to shoot straight towards the source.
Feel your negative reaction melt and float away as you suddenly see your adversary enveloped in a swarm of colourful butterflies.
It’s a win!
How can you stay upset when they are at the center of a butterfly frenzy? I mean, all those tiny wings and feet have to tickle!
While you’re giggling (inside, of course) about all the tickling and the surprise and the bright colours, your heart will open just a little.
That’s when compassion will sneak in.
When you’re not even looking.
Because in that moment of confrontation, when our whole being wants to run or wants to fight, compassion is the last thing that will spring to mind – long after every plan of improbable escape or ridiculous revenge.
In fact, when I tell myself to be compassionate to that fiery ball of anger, I resist and rebel and anger grows in me.
Few things can dissolve anger in me as quickly and purely as butterflies. Well, maybe a cat picture on Facebook, but those don’t usually spring to mind quite so easily.
The thing is, if there’s a crack in their outer shell, maybe, just maybe, those butterflies will find a way into their heart, too.
Maybe deep down they will feel the energy of Beauty and Love that all butterflies carry, taking the edge off their mood and softening their words.
Wouldn’t that be a win-win?
You don’t need to save this practice for only direct confrontation, use the butterflies in lots of situations!
To the inconsiderate driver who cut you off in traffic – throw some butterflies at him!
To the bureaucrat who sends you in endless circles – toss a few bright butterflies in her face!
To the antagonistic other party in a legal issue – surround her in dancing colourful butterflies!
To the meddling family member – send in sneak attack ninja butterflies when he least expects them!
To the grumpy supervisor with unreasonable expectations – rain butterflies on her and her reports!
You have someone in your life right now who is causing hardship, worry, difficulty, anger and any number of negative consequences.
Drench them in the energy of butterflies! If nothing else, you’ll feel lighter.
Let’s give this a try, shall we? For the next week, any time you feel yourself starting to react in a negative way, pull out those butterflies you’ve been saving up and blast them.
Let’s do this! Let’s fill our worlds with the bright charge of countless butterflies!
Come on back here and let us know how it goes, okay?
It’s like me and love curses. When you send out love to your foe, you can’t help but get love back ten-fold.
It’s a lot more fun to think about butterflies and than bitter feelings.
<3
Brilliant. <3
Loved it! I will share it right now!!
Walking yesterday in Finnerty gardens at UVIC. my first time there. Accompanied by my dad. A butterfly alighted on his hat. He walked towards me and a butterfly close to me fluttered to his butterfly. “Look we have brought them together! We are matchmakers!”
Butterflies always bring you to mind, Teresa!
Loving you always,
Deb & Dad
Hey Teresa – I’m imagining a calming flock of butterflies flying over me right now, soothing my mind with the whisper of their silken wings. Very relaxing…