There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly. (R. Buckminster Fuller, inventor)
I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky; then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am a man? (Zhuangzi, philosopher)
Art is the fatal net which catches these strange moments on the wing like mysterious butterflies, fleeing the innocence and distraction of common men. (Giorgio de Chirico, artist)
If there is one creature that represents my essence, it’s butterflies. (Patricia Velasquez, actor)
Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. (Nathaniel Hawthorne, novelist)
A Frank Angle 
Yes the quote by Nathaniel Hawthorn describes the true meaning of happiness beautifully.
Thanks Frank.
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Dilip,
As soon as I found Hawthorn’s quote, I knew I had to use it. After all, butterflies are symbolize joy and freedom for many people.
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Perhaps their life’s purpose is so designed to spread joy and happiness to the many. 🙂
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I loved so much, Thank you, dear Frank, feeding my soul… Love, nia
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Nia,
I can see how this one tugs at your heart. 🙂
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That is a beautiful piece of music and slow capture Frank – well found! It featured my favourite butterfly too – the beautiful and mysterious ‘Blue Morpheus’ with its drab patterned underside and cyan blue upper wing. What a life it must be to live as a butterfly – to have known death and resurrection and the wings of an angel!
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Pauline,
So glad you enjoyed this one as I found this one full of wonder, peace, and serenity. Even better than I now know it included your favorite butterfly.
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I love the Hawthorne quote, as well. Lovely post.
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Meril,
Looks like a picked a winner!
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Ah, what a lovely post, Saturday morning, Frank… and I agree with Dilip!
Thank you for bringing elegance and joy to a rather gloomy day.
ps. mail sent.
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Marina,
Peace and happiness through butterflies (and in this case music) is wonderful for anytime … including the weekend.
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I love Butterflies, thus the abundance of milkweed in our gardens.
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Catherine,
Cheers to this post tapping into one of your joys.
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Beautiful post to brighten up an already bright day Frank.. Adore Butterflies and encourage the peacock variety by keeping a nettle patch on the allotments.. They lay their eggs there to feed off the nettles. Not so keen on the cabbage white though LOL…
Enjoy your weekend and loved watching all those butterflies in slow motions.. Wonderful
Hugs Sue
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Sue,
I’m not surprised by your joy for butterflies and your encouragement.
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I just thought you might like to know Frank being as you are so into ballroom.. That we went to a dance presentation last evening of our 4 yr old granddaughter. She got two rosettes for Tango and the Two Step.. and a Trophy for the best achievement award . She was over the moon with the trophy!… and she remembered all her steps LOL.. 🙂
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Hooray for your granddaughter!
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Thank you Frank! 🙂
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Grunt!
Am off to chase butterflies. I might even come home with wings in my teeth to use for ‘The Ending’.
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Calvin,
I’m sure you had success in your chasing endeavor, just as you will with The Ending.
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The clip is fascinating insight into the reality of biological life. I saw for instance that the butterfly moves its head during flight and that it tucks its legs up for aerodynamic efficiency. Clearly, these creatures are as alive as we are. They must feel pain, that feedback mechanism so essential for survival, but do they feel joy as well? I think it likely.
But of course they lack the capacity for abstract thought. Where then is the dividing line between them and us? It’s a continuum. I’m reminded of Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Are the Buddhists on to something?
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Jim,
Great analysis. No question that butterflies are wonderfully engineered for their need. Yes … things like this make biology interesting … structure-function is a good thing. Huge difference in our neural structures, so they probably aren’t closing to processing by chickens – let alone primates. Thanks for sharing!!!
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So beautiful! I do love butterflies.
Once when John and I were kayaking in Maine, a flock of a few hundred monarch butterflies flew towards, over and then past us. It was breathtaking.
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Elyse,
You’ve seen a flock of monarchs? Wow … definitely an unforgettable memory.
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It really was — but it was a very small one compared to the one in the film. And in Maine, heading out to sea (them; I was trying not to!)
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I’ve noticed that we are NOT seeing monarchs like we have in years past. Other butterflies, yes, but the lack of monarchs is worrisome. They used to fly in clusters around my gardens. Now, not a one.
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Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. (Nathaniel Hawthorne, novelist) I love this quote and it coincides with my nurture yourself post this week.
Sitting in quiet solitude while recuperating to gather strength can be much more diffciult than can be imagined. May I borrow this quote for an art piece I’d love to do.
The video reminded me to listen to my CD. Secret Garden is a favorite of mine.
Have a nice weekend …!!!
Isadora 😍
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Isadora,
Believe it or not, you inspired this post as I bookmarked the video after seeing it on one of your posts. Everyone seems to be enjoying it, so many thanks!!!! … and of course use the quotes, after all, I stole the video from you. 😉
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LOL … mutual admiration of creativity. 😄
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A lovely post, with a beautiful video, Frank! “Butterflies Are Free”
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Resa,
“Butterflies Are Free” is a wonderful mantra who can transpose that for their own life.
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We always enjoy the Monarchs as they migrate to to Mexico
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John,
Awesome! To you see them in large numbers or as a continuous flow?
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Not in large numbers. Just a lot of them on a spotty basis during the migratiin
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Beautiful words/music. Butterflies are the very incarnation of elegance.
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LaVagabonde,
Thanks for supporting my use of “elegance” in the title. This video is so well done, I’m very surprised by the low number of views.
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I love Nathaniel Hawthorne’s definition of happiness. I enjoyed fluttering through the video. 🙂
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Sylvia,
It’s seems many are enjoying Hawthorne’s quote. After all, I think butterflies are a good symbol for happiness and quiet.
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An amazing post to read this Sunday morning. I love butterflies and have some incredible ones that visit our Lantana’s every day – they are so used to me that speaks to Nathaniel Hawthorne. Lovely Frank and perfect for this time of year. Have a wonderful week ahead – how are your golf games going?
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Mary,
Seems like my use of Hawthorne has struck a chord with many others. Good choice.
Golf game is in a bit of a funk at the moment, but that happens .. so I’m hopeful that it is temporary.
I recall your interest in my story challenge of developing a new ending. FYI: The post goes up tonight.
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Golf is very humbling and of the best of them – your funk will soon turn the corner for a spectacular summer ending! Looking forward to your story.
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This was truly beautiful, thank you. Butterfly’s love my Lavender (so do bees) so I enjoy watching them from my kitchen window throughout the summer.
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Val,
A beautiful video indeed … and surprising, one with a low number of views. We had lavender at the previous residence, and I can concur.
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Loved these quotes, Frank. Some of them were familiar. Thanks.
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Shimon,
These quotes are serve as food for the soul.
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I always loved Hawthorne’s writing. The perfect quote.
We’ve lots of butterflies around right now ( so there must be lots of aphids or tiny things they eat off the leaves…we don’t use pesticides, and depend on natural flighty predators). Yesterday we actually managed to sit outside in the shade for a short while (before melting) and were circled by butterflies targeting the citrus tree
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Mouse,
Cheers for you doing what you can do enjoy the soft fluttering of wings. Stay cool!
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