Frozen in Patience

For a few days, I became what could only be described as a butterfly stalker. There I was, running around my backyard, sweat dripping, camera in hand, on a mission to capture the perfect butterfly shot. My "Album of Nature" was crying out for that elusive photo—just one butterfly, perched on a flower, wings spread wide, looking ethereal. Simple, right? Not quite.

The butterfly, of course, had other plans. It seemed like it knew I was after it. Every time I’d get close, it would flutter away, teasing me just out of reach. And there I was, in hot pursuit, pretending I wasn’t out of breath and looking like an Olympic sprinter who forgot to train. "I can do this," I told myself. "Just one good shot, and it’s in the bag."

The first day was a disaster. The second day? Well, it was a disaster too, just with slightly more cardio. But something changed on day three. As I dashed after this butterfly for the umpteenth time, it suddenly dawned on me—I wasn’t getting anywhere. I was running in circles, getting tired, and still no picture. But then I noticed something: I was burning calories like a treadmill. This butterfly wasn’t just a photo opportunity—it was my personal fitness trainer.

But then the real epiphany hit me. I was being impatient. The butterfly wasn’t going to come to me because I was sprinting all over the place. It wasn’t going to pose for me if I kept flailing like a windmill. The key wasn’t in chasing it—it was in standing still, waiting, and being focused.

So, I stopped. I stood there, camera in hand, and waited. The butterfly, probably confused by my sudden stillness, came closer. Slowly, carefully, it landed on a flower. And there it was—finally, the perfect shot. No chasing, no huffing and puffing. Just me, the butterfly, and a moment of calm.

As I looked at the picture on my camera, I realized the lesson wasn’t just about capturing the perfect photo. It was about patience. About being still, about focusing on what’s right in front of you, and trusting that the right moment will come when you stop trying so hard to force it.

And sure, I lost a few calories in the process, but that wasn’t even the point anymore. The real takeaway? Sometimes, you have to stop chasing and just wait. And when you do, things tend to fall into place.