#15: I Fell and Looked Foolish Today—I Had A Great Time

This morning, I fell on my butt.

Literally.

Deviating from my usual wake-up routine, I lingered longer outside after walking my chihuahua Ringo. My grandmother and her sister (who lived right next to us) were also out there in the street, taking care of the toddler and a 4-month old baby in the family while they catch up.

It was a beautiful morning, with a flock of pingeons flying over us from time to time. And there were more butterflies than usual fluttering their wings and flirting with the kids.

The winged creatures were immaculate white and graceful.

Amazed, Kiefer (the toddler) started running and chasing the butterflies. My grandmother brought out our yellow plastic colander, hoping to catch a butterfly for Kiefer (don't worry, she planned on letting the butterfly go after showing it closely to the kid).

Seeing all these, I didn't want to miss out on the fun and I snatched the kitchen strainer from my grandmother and confidently proclaimed, "Watch me catch one!"

Two minutes of running and chasing later, I slid on the street and fell on my butt—almost catching a butterfly!

It was silly and funny, but I had an epiphany.

Chasing that delicate butterfly is much like pursuing creativity.

We may look foolish to others, but it's a delightful experience—the journey's ours to cherish. And in the process, we may fail and fall on our butts but we stand back up, learn from the experience, laugh a little bit, and carry on with our lives.

I hope this little story awakens your inner child and wonder in any way today. ✨

“In life, as in literature, great lives are the ones ruled throughout by unabashed and childlike eagerness—and a readiness to take chances, even to look foolish if necessary.

Mozart and Shakespeare were willing to be downright silly, and they led great lives. If you’re willing to make your life safe enough for your enthusiasm to reappear, you too can have a great life.

As the Good Book says: Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when desire cometh, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs, 13:12).”

— Barbara Sher, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was

P.S. I'm safe and sound, and no butterfly was harmed. 🦋

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Hi, and thanks for reading! I'm Kishly, a cheerleader of creatives and copywriter turned marketing strategist. Bookmark this blog to read my daily atomic essays on marketing, compassionate productivity, creative living, and lifelong learning. Or subscribe to Process, my weekly-ish newsletter for young adults (and the young at heart) in pursuit of wisdom and wonder. ✨