Thursday, July 10, 2014

The Essence of Fireflies, coveting things that shine

Last night I was catching fireflies with Maya.  Our techniques were vastly different.  Hers was the run and swoop, just go for it and see what you can grab up.  Mine was more contemplative, hovering, observing, only expending energy on certain ones. Each technique reflective of our ages or maybe our life experience. 

She captured several and collected them in her vintage blue mason jar with the intent she would have twinkling firefly light to sleep by.  To her dismay she discovered that upon capture, the fireflies stopped blinking.  Maya immediately went in to fix-it mode.  She asked them what was wrong.  Were they sick?  She inquired if they were hungry and we set about researching what fireflies eat.  She thought maybe if only we caught more so they would have company, then they would shine again.  She cradled the jar, hugged it with all her might, and even sang the fireflies songs.  She spoke lovingly to them, she patted the jar, but still no twinkle.  Her final conclusion was that the fireflies just must not like her.  The whole process was like watching a teenage girl vying for the attention of some unattainable object of desire.  Or maybe like a dejected spouse grasping at how to keep the other one happy.  All the while, her interest in the fireflies was more about her disappointment in the fact that they were no longer blinking and would now make terrible nightlights.  Less about their welfare.

We talked about how the essence of a firefly is to be free, once captured you have interfered with its mojo, its kismet, its bioluminescence.  Perhaps it will still shine for you or perhaps it will be bitter, confused, incapable of emitting that light you were drawn to.  I told her if she really loved the firefly then she should love it equally when it shines as when it clings to the side of the jar dark and confused. However if she only loved the firefly for what it did for her, in this instance to be her nightlight, then the fireflies would be better off being set free.

We covet things that shine. We are drawn to romantic love, sunsets, full moons, and happiness.  Some are enticed by flashy cars or fancy trips. Like fish going for the shiniest lure. We have a tendency to want to capture the shine for ourselves instead of just enjoying the view. Never mind that the real depth and work begins when the sparkle wears off.

After much internal conflict, Maya decided to set her captives free.  We loosened the lid, gently shook them to the ground, watched them spread their wings, and fly back into the night sky. We didn't wait for them to start blinking again but went to bed knowing we had done the right thing.  After all, luminosity is best savored but not restrained.



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