Catching Fireflies

“It’s almost the end of July and I just want to journal one of my happiest milestones in life. I know it’s just a simple thing but to me, it feels like catching a firefly. This chapter is an opening of a new clean slate. I’m learning to trust in the magic of new beginnings, the beautiful blossom of initiation and connection. I am learning to love myself despite or in spite what I look like. I am happy, creative, and becoming. Right here, in the place of expectancy, joy, and waiting, I am whole. I am complete.” – An excerpt from my own journal

Fireflies or lightning bugs are not flies or bugs at all. From a biological standpoint, they are a part of the beetle family. Fireflies are a symbol of illumination and the light within. It is a symbol of hope, energy, patience, new ideas, creativity, attraction, awakening, aspiration, inspiration, passion, guidance, and freedom.

I have chosen three principal keywords encompassed in my journal prompt:

Awakening. Personally, it’s the realization that twilight comes twice. It’s the kind of awareness that’s unmistakable. It’s one’s rousing from hibernation and indifference. It’s more than just survival. It’s a revival of everything you have learned and come to know.

Creativity. It is knowing that all that glitters are not gold but finding a diamond is just as close. It’s the ability to create and be resourceful. It’s the playful vision and kaleidoscope of colors. It’s the opening of palms that were meant to tinker with art.

Iain S. Thomas wrote, “If I have learned anything in living a creative life, it is this: All truly precious things are like love and creativity, the more you let go of and give out, the more you will discover.”

New Ideas. This keyword is my favorite because this is the spontaneous out-of-the-box; the spur of the moment. It’s the recognition of an a-ha or the Eureka! New ideas are the brilliant flow, a prodigy in the making.

The firefly’s symbolism speaks of consciousness, paying attention to intricacies, and exercising tenacious persistence if we wish to achieve success in our own lives. When we use the flicker of our own imagination and the heat to ignite our own light within, we are attracting what is meant to be ours. That does not mean we need to burn ourselves in the pursuit of our own goals. We need to take our flight wisely knowing which direction to go and if it’s where we want to go and be. If we observe closely how graceful a firefly dances across the sky, it becomes impossible to remain uninspired. It ignites a spark of appreciation and a child-like curiosity. Fireflies represents an intricate piece of motivation that anything is possible when we believe.

I really have not enough source or proof as to where I got the metaphor of catching a firefly when I wrote it down in my journal. For many children around the world, catching fireflies is a part of growing up and the first moment of observation is precious. I have no fond memory or experience of this activity as a kid or as an adult. But the thing is, catching a firefly looks like one of the most exciting and happiest activity a person can do.

It’s wonderful to recognize our joy when we are happy. But in our daily tug-of-war, it is more transformative when we turn a pessimistic statement into a powerful catalyst.

This is my revised year-end affirmation using the same words from my July journal prompt. To quote Epictetus, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

Even at the midst of my unbelief, I am happy.

Even when I run out of ideas, I am creative.

Even if my progress is slow, I am becoming.

Right here, in the place of expectancy, joy, waiting,

insecurity, anxiety, confusion, toss and turns,

I am whole. I am complete. I am enough.

I want you to spare five minutes of your time to watch this inspirational video about chasing fireflies. Breathe. Pause. Allow it to sink in and then meditate.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/b530a0_226d2c70d6aa4d9b9654f32d8a1ee7b3/720p/mp4/file.mp4

We don’t have to wait for a new year to change and make resolutions. A fresh start has always been at the end of our fingertips. That’s when we stretch out to a new morning and the daylight greets our sleepy eyes. It’s about time we unwrap this gift we call present with open hands and a heart of gratitude.