A butterfly and friendship!

I watched this butterfly during its feeding visit to the lantana flower. 

It spent the first few minutes on one flower. With the strong wind the flower was swaying and the butterfly looked losing its stability. It then occupied itself between two flowers, which steadied it even during the wind. It had a better grip and wider hold to stay on!

It is the season of celebrating friendship day. 

I came across some friends using this to renew contacts and exchange greetings. 

Seeing this butterfly rest between two flowers, I found it to be reflective of friendship.

It is when we can reach beyond ourselves we can rest in the acceptance of a friend. So self seeking and self absorbed people do not get that acceptance from others to grow in friendship. 

One aspect of friendship that I discovered in the recent years is that friendships can be fragile and yet meaningful. After all the lantana flowers are fragile and can fall off even in a strong wind. And yet it is the fragile flowers which became a home for the butterfly to protect itself from being carried away in a strong wind. 

Friendships are to be viewed from this perspective. I remember a pigeon that was held by the  Presbyter between his palms during prayer, refused to fly off when it was released to mark global peace, because it was choked while being held. 

All friendships can have this risk. If we become demanding or intruding, it can choke and strain the friendship. 

Friendships are meant to create widening space for each other to grow and in that enlarging personal growth friendship becomes integrated into each other's lives. It is not a sentimental feeling that holds friendships, but a sense belonging in good times and difficult times. Truthful and trustful communication upbuilds friendships. When friendships face rough times, it is necessary to be reminded of its fragility and upbuild it consciously. If a friendship is not mutual, respectful and trustful, it can turn to be utilitarian, in which case it slips in to a level of being just acquaintances. 

A fragile flower and a fragile butterfly! Both made strong because they belong to each other!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)