At the moment I’m catching a lot of butterflies. Actually, I caught one in the shower this morning. It landed on my shoulder and, while washing the shampoo out of my hair, I made a mental note of all its colours, dimensions, and messages. While I towelled off, I captured these with a few words etched on my foggy mirror.
So, why was this butterfly in my shower? Well, butterflies can show up anywhere and anytime. You need to be prepared to catch them when they do. For if you don’t, they will fly off into the blue just as quickly as they landed.
What is a butterfly? A butterfly can be an idea, a song, a writing piece, a joke, a funny or useful thought, a capsule of wisdom … and even an analogy about a butterfly.
A Butterfly is a Divine Inspiration
They usually arrive when the doing part of your brain, the left side, is dialled right down and the receptive part of the brain, the right side, is open. Sometimes, an inspiration can show up visually as a vision, a picture or an image. It can be like a photograph that has remained etched in your mind over lifetimes.
If you want to keep and share your inspiration, you must learn to catch it first – as an uncaught inspiration is an inspiration lost. My advice is to grab it as quickly as you can, while it’s still fluttering around, as it probably won’t be there in a moment, let alone tomorrow or next week.
How to catch butterflies
Here are a few things I do to catch mine:
1. Spend time alone
This is really essential. Nurture your connection to spirit by simply creating SPACE. While writing this Gratitude Diary each year, I usually lock myself away for a month in the country, only venturing out once a week for provisions. The rest of the time, I’m swanning about thinking, reading, researching and catching my butterflies – without any distractions.
2. Write a quick note or outline
Just like I made the note on my mirror this morning about my butterfly, just one word or a short sentence is usually enough. You can expand on your idea later. The important thing is to capture the essence of what you want to say. For the essence is INSPIRED. You don’t need to spend a long time at this stage. My notes took me less than two minutes. Later, you can flesh out your ideas. Some people carry around a pen and a small notepad, others jot down notes in their phone or record a quick voice memo – all will work.
3. Research
You’ve had a bright idea but it’s time to see what others are saying about your inspiration. Check out at least three different sources and compare your idea to what others are saying. Is anyone saying exactly the same thing you are saying? What is YOUR point of difference? In other words, what is your point?
4. Too many butterflies?!!
Oh noooo, your channels have opened and, all of a sudden you can see in your new pathway, many different ideas, or an expanded version of your original thought. You might feel in danger of a butterfly plague! Don’t fret, it’s all good. Just make notes on these ideas as well – for LATER. Stick with your original thread. You’re just in an inspired phase and when it rains, it pours. Stay grounded and take your notes.
5. Tools
The internet, a computer, and maybe even a dictaphone. And hey, remember, lipstick on a mirror or a stick in the sand works too. It doesn’t really matter HOW you do it, as long as you catch that butterfly. Many an idea has been written on a beer coaster at an Irish pub on a Sunday afternoon. No restrictions here. If you are a songwriter, Shazam is handy for when you vibe with a song you hear.
Why do we want to catch butterflies?
What now?
Remote writing
Remote writing is based on the premise that YOU already HAVE the answers to all your own questions.
Test yourself:
- Write down a question.
- Go away and do something completely different.
- Come back and answer your question. Come with an empty brain. Just put your pen to paper (or fingers to screen or keyboard) and write. If your pen does not move, wait. If your pen moves, let it speak.
RULES – never judge your writing. Your answers may come as a surprise so do not censor them just because you don’t like them or they seem unbelievable. Remember, it’s not YOUR writing. You are a vessel for ‘inspired knowledge’ which means the gift comes from a higher source, guide or place. Enjoy the connection.
Here are some journaling prompts for your inspired writing.
Exercise One
Date …………
Question ……
Answer………
Date …………
Question ……
Answer………
Exercise Two
This exercise is about receiving answers over time. Write down three or four questions that you know will take some TIME to resolve. Be your own soul coach by listening to your innate wisdom as it presents solutions, that may be presented in instalments. For example, what do I need to do to manifest a more aligned body, a new job, or partner? Why am I unwell?
Now allow your answers to be given to you in stages, but always in relation to the SAME QUESTION.
Date ………. Question ……………..
Date ………. Answer ……………….
Date ………. Answer ……………….
Date ………. Answer ……………….
Date ………. Answer ……………….
Have a go – catch a butterfly!
Melanie Spears
In all of my work, my intention is to help people find the inspiration to stop, smell the roses, and take stock of what is truly important, in a world that appears to be turning in an ever-increasing pace.
Gratitude is the Beginning…
Melanie Spears
In all of my work, my intention is to help people find the inspiration to stop, smell the roses, and take stock of what is truly important, in a world that appears to be turning in an ever-increasing pace.
Gratitude is the Beginning…
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