Friday, May 16, 2008

Patience... now!

During a morning walk I saw this butterfly trying to fly and I believe it had just emerged from its chrysalis. It took me about 10 minutes to get shots of the open wings, as they flap so fast and stay closed for a long time afterwards, and all I needed was a small action, the butterfly to move its wings! That was a test of patience, which is not one of my best abilities...

This reminds me of certain events that depend on some small actions we take that can really make a difference in our lives or someone else's life and can be compared to the controversial "butterfly effect".

I wrote down this list of small gestures of love that can make a difference and I want to share it with you:
  • Call an old friend I haven't heard in ages, or write an e-mail
  • Remember special dates
  • Babysit for a couple or single parent who hasn't been out for a while...
  • Confirm my love for my husband and kids every day
  • Pick up a neighbor's paper when he/she is away for a few days
  • Welcome a new neighbor with a treat
  • Read a devotional or pray together with someone who needs support
  • Encourage someone who's depressed
  • Make my place pretty and tidy
  • Or... just smile at someone, hold a door, say nice words, think twice before letting the word out...
This list could go on and on... Hope you all have a nice day!

15 comments:

Robert said...

Your patience has definitely paid off. These are fantastic captures. I love the colors.

Connie Peterson said...

Beautiful!! How many million pictures did you need to take to get just the RIGHT ones? Lots of patience there!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Amazing pictures, Cris!
The concept of "butterfly effect" is very intriguing...

Love your list, very inspiring!
Have a nice weekend!
Many hugs!

Susie said...

Your butterfly photo is amazing. What wonderful suggestions in your list. It's true: little things can often make a difference both to ourselves and to others..
xo

Tammy said...

Gorgeous butterfly photos...that whole process that God made just amazes me!

I loved reading your list...such great reminders! Little things mean so much!

(And by the way, I enjoyed reading your comment about your husband also being in the Navy when you visited the WTC!)

Hugs,
~Tammy

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

aren't butterflies the loveliest creation of nature.... reminds me of one of Tagore's beautiful quotes..."The butterfly flitting from flower to flower ever remains mine, I lose the one that is netted by me."

have a great Sunday, Cris.

Kerri said...

A wonderful list! I'm glad you had the patience to wait...it resulted in this beautiful series of photos of just one of nature's miracles...a gift of God :)
Thank you for sharing!

MeMeMe said...

--thank you for this post...

Jeannie

Paula said...

Beautiful pictures ~ beautiful words! A reminder I seem to need a lot these days...

shnaggy said...

i remember last weekend we went to just peek on a butterfly garden. we were sure we wouldn't wanna pay for entrance cuz there were lots of us and only my hubby would pay. so we decided to just peek. then when we were about to leave, the lady told us, you have to pay when you cross "this" line. it was all so unfair cuz we were taken off guard like a booby trap. anyway we didn't have a choice so we went in and there the butterflies were amzing. i did snap a few shots.

btw, your gestures of love tells me you are a really good person cris...

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Cris. Patience is hard sometimes but you are usually rewarded. Notice I said usually!

Nabeel said...

butterflies have a wonderful natural color palette :) Marvelous color combination on their wings.

Anna said...

What a wonderful list....
:)

auntpearl said...

Just a little more of your brilliant photography. Great list too!!

Hugs,

Ash said...

Beautiful image and lovely list :-)