Butterfly Catching by Kristen Rose Ulrich Nonfiction Writing Contest contest entry |
|
Have you ever tried to catch a butterfly? When I was a little girl, about nine years old, I used to try to catch butterflies. I used to play in my grandparents’ backyard. Sometimes a butterfly would land on one of the leaves in my Grandpa’s garden. I crawled behind the butterflies and tried to catch them before they flew away. Sometimes I succeeded, and sometimes I didn’t. Even when I did succeed, the butterfly always managed to get away. One time I tried placing a butterfly in a box filled with small holes. I wanted to keep her as a pet. The butterfly somehow managed to squeeze its wings through the holes in the box and fly away. I was disappointed every single time. Then I learned that there is no point in trying to catch a butterfly. He or she will always find a way to break free. I’ve decided that if I have a daughter one day, I would like to name her Ava-Francesca. Ava means, “like a bird.” Francesca means, “free.” Therefore, her name will mean, “free bird.” I have always loved birds and butterflies. I am a little jealous that they can fly, and I can’t. I’ve noticed that humans can be very similar to these creatures. We have an overwhelming desire to be free. We are able to persevere through difficult experiences. No matter how stressful life becomes, and no matter how trapped we feel, we still continue to move forward. We are resilient and independent. Some of us have forgotten that we have this tendency to be free. We become obsessed with adhering to society’s standards, which are very limiting. Society tells us how we should think and feel. Society tells us that we have to be perfect in order to be truly loved. Little do we know, that these self loathing ideas are preventing us from being our true selves. I’ve noticed that some of us try harder than others to succeed. I think that some people are afraid to continue to persevere after they have already failed. We tell people these lies about how they aren’t allowed to fail. This stems from the belief that everyone has to be perfect. Nobody will ever be perfect. No matter how hard we try, we will always be flawed. Therefore, our mistakes do not reduce our self worth. We can only do the best that we can. We can’t give any more than our best. Although we owe it to ourselves and to everyone else to put our best effort forward, we should also allow ourselves and others to make mistakes. Your worth doesn’t fluctuate according to your accomplishments or failures. It also doesn’t fluctuate based upon other people’s approval or disapproval of you. Your self worth is constant throughout your life. It is always going to be there, no matter what. Sometimes you will succeed, and sometimes you will fail. Some people will like you, and some people won’t. These are just the facts of life. You can’t change that. So you might as well try your best and let then let it go. There is really no excuse not to do that. Once you realize this truth, you will be more confident and resilient. You will also have more respect for yourself and for others, and you will have more inner peace. I hope that the day will come when you will fully accept this truth, if you haven’t already. Just remember that no matter how many times you try to catch a butterfly, she will always find a way to break free.
|
| ©
Copyright 2025.
Kristen Rose Ulrich
All rights reserved. Kristen Rose Ulrich has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |