Cardinals & Monarch Butterflies
Today I spent some time outdoors with my niece and my sister, and one of the first things my niece asked me was whether monarchs are to butterflies as cardinals are to birds. I thought for a second and was like yes, they both can be messengers why? She said she kept seeing a monarch butterfly in the backyard and she thought they represented people who have died. I told her the biggest thing is what she felt when she saw it. As we were sitting talk about it, we noticed a cardinal sitting in the tree and then 2 monarch butterflies flying together near the same area. I laughed hard.
You see, my aunt passed quickly a couple years ago from brain cancer. She was my mom's sister and they were close, so it was very hard on my mom. My mom has been seeing the same cardinal for the past month and it reminds her fondly of my aunt - her sister. I knew instantly the 2 monarch butterflies represented my maternal grandparents. I told my sister and niece my thoughts and how sometimes we need to be reminded we have loved ones who may be gone but are not forgotten. We see symbols of them and can be comforted to know they are still looking out for us and cheering us on.
It's good to pay attention to the unexpected signs we get as we go about our day. Sometimes those signs come in forms of birds or butterflies; sometimes we get a call from a friend out of the blue who gives us some advice we desperately needed to hear or just reminds us someone cares; sometimes it's a bumper sticker on the car in front of us, a song on the radio which sparks some past memory or millions of other little things which can happen in a day.
They are precious reminders someone is looking out for us. They are meant to guide us or comfort us. My advice for today - pay attention and look for the signs showing up in your life. Take time to reflect on them and what they mean to you. Have you been seeking direction? Which way are the signs pointing you? Are they offering you some advice? These are all good things to ponder. We hear the expression all the time to take time to "stop and smell the roses". I'd change that to take time to "stop and acknowledge the signs". They are everywhere and can be a great tool for guiding you on your path - your own unique journey.
You see, my aunt passed quickly a couple years ago from brain cancer. She was my mom's sister and they were close, so it was very hard on my mom. My mom has been seeing the same cardinal for the past month and it reminds her fondly of my aunt - her sister. I knew instantly the 2 monarch butterflies represented my maternal grandparents. I told my sister and niece my thoughts and how sometimes we need to be reminded we have loved ones who may be gone but are not forgotten. We see symbols of them and can be comforted to know they are still looking out for us and cheering us on.
It's good to pay attention to the unexpected signs we get as we go about our day. Sometimes those signs come in forms of birds or butterflies; sometimes we get a call from a friend out of the blue who gives us some advice we desperately needed to hear or just reminds us someone cares; sometimes it's a bumper sticker on the car in front of us, a song on the radio which sparks some past memory or millions of other little things which can happen in a day.
They are precious reminders someone is looking out for us. They are meant to guide us or comfort us. My advice for today - pay attention and look for the signs showing up in your life. Take time to reflect on them and what they mean to you. Have you been seeking direction? Which way are the signs pointing you? Are they offering you some advice? These are all good things to ponder. We hear the expression all the time to take time to "stop and smell the roses". I'd change that to take time to "stop and acknowledge the signs". They are everywhere and can be a great tool for guiding you on your path - your own unique journey.
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