Have you ever visited a butterfly house? Or sat in a specially designed butterfly garden teeming with fluttering wings?
This summer I visited the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory, located on Mackinac Island, Michigan.
Here are photos of some of the butterflies that I was able to observe.
I was so in awe of their beauty and the peacefulness of the sanctuary that I failed to pick up any info on these beauties. Not a problem – I would just check in with Mr. Google. Whoa – I learned that there are over 20,000 species of butterflies in the world. So after a half hour of searching, I could still only identify the Monarch. (Check out what I learned about the Monarch butterfly at the end of this post.)
Serenity is defined as the state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled.
Sitting on a bench inside this butterfly conservatory was a serene experience. I sat in a state of stillness while surrounded by the energy of fluttering wings. In this state of peace, I experienced sublime joy.
Even now as I recount this experience, I again feel that sense of serenity. I am so grateful for the memory of this and so many other serene and peaceful moments in my life. These memories bring joy.
I encourage you, Dear Reader, to seek the treasured state of serenity. You may or may not find it among butterflies. Know that this treasure is there for you and but awaits your discovery.
I encourage you to seek these serene moments and be untroubled.
Like the butterfly, float through the air and be at peace.
Take that deep and satisfying breath. Experience joy.
What I learned about the Amazing Monarch Butterflies
I did discover that it takes only 30 days for a butterfly egg to hatch into a caterpillar and then transform into an adult butterfly which then lays eggs and dies. Each summer sees several generations of Monarchs. Finally, the 4th and last generation migrates to either central Mexico or California to overwinter. Then in the spring, the same Monarchs migrate thousands of miles back north to lay their eggs on milkweed plants and initiate another summer of winged beauty.
