Letting Go
The butterfly certainly looked dead, helplessly trapped in that part of the beach where the sand dries quickly with each wave’s retreat. So dead, in fact, that it almost didn’t cross my mind as my friend, Leslie, and I strode right over it on our walk down the beach.
I had quickly recognized it as a monarch butterfly, with orange and black wings almost in a leopard print. I knew my five-year-old daughter would love a beautiful butterfly to add to her Science Box, which is where she stored dead insects, shiny rocks, and anything else that made her wonder. I asked Leslie to wait a second and jogged back to scoop up the fragile monarch out of the sand. I gently pinched its legs and dipped it in a new wave to wash off the caked sand. I cupped my hands as we walked on to prevent the wind and the weight of my hands from crushing it.
Its weight was so slight that I barely even noticed when it gave a tiny flutter. We had proceeded on our walk and were back into our beach talk when I I felt a twitch, then carefully peaked inside. It moved again. And I thought, “There is hope.”
We all get stuck in life, where it seems impossible to find direction or purpose. Days pass, the world turns, and we still feel like we’ve made up no ground. Days when we feel defeated.
We also all know people get stuck. It is so easy to simply notice them and continue on. But noticing and stopping can create a whole new world for someone. Sometimes, we just need to feel important enough for someone to take time and check on us. Show us that we do matter. We all long to feel seen and heard.
Having organized professionally for fifteen years, I have witnessed hundreds of clients share their feelings of being overwhelmed by their belongings to the point of paralysis. They can see where they want to go but have no idea where to even begin. They are stuck. The idea of letting go of items they’ve gathered throughout life almost feels like abandoning a relationship.
It takes reflection to realize that most of our belongings are just stuff, stuff that has accumulated over the years due to postponed decisions. We hold on to unimportant items because someone gave it to us. Or someday it might fit. Or we spent a lot of money on it. Or because it was once sentimental to a relative that is no longer alive. We are burdened by possessions that ultimately do not bring us happiness.
I think most of us can agree, however, that it’s the experiences that matter most in life, not the things we accrue.
Letting go of stuff is freeing and not easy. Many of us just need someone to stop and check on us or just ask questions that empower us to make a rational decision. We never forget those who walk with us. Likewise, it is incumbent on all of us to listen when our inner voice tells us to go back and help.
There is no feeling like helping someone escape a trap. And I have dedicated my professional life to helping as many people break free as possible from the bondage of their possessions.
As Leslie and I reached the end of our walk, our daughters ran up to greet us, and I told them of our encounter with the butterfly. We all looked down at my cupped hands. I opened them slowly and we were all amazed to see this beautiful strong monarch butterfly standing upright on my palm. It shook off remnants of sand and water and flapped its wings quickly, taking flight and stopping on our fingers intermittently until its wings were dry enough for it to fly freely.
Sometimes all it takes is to stop and notice.
—Laurie
Laurie Martin founded Simplicity Organizers as a professional organizing service with a mission of working alongside clients to help them focus on what matters most. Giving back is Laurie’s passion and Simplicity Serves is a nonprofit that offers complimentary organizing services to local nonprofits and families in crisis.
Laurie is married to David Martin and a proud mother of three. She finds joy in helping people connect and is always wanting to learn more about health and nutrition and recycling the right way. Learn More: www.simplicity-organizers.com.