Costa Rica is a Lepidopterist’s dream. There are around 20,000 or so butterfly species worldwide and many are found here in Costa Rica. According to the butterfly experts at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, approximately 90% of the butterfly species in Central America exist in Costa Rica, nearly 66% of neo-tropical butterflies and about 18% of all butterfly species of the world. Perhaps the most recognizable of Costa Rica’s huge butterfly population is the “blue morpho.” It is identified primarily by its electric blue and black wings, and its lilting, casual flight. At the La Paz Gardens you can observe a dazzling array of butterfly pupae, or “chrysalises” as they are called. The come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Some look like they have been dipped in liquid gold. The chrysalis represents the stage in the butterfly’s life between its existence as a lowly caterpillar and its ultimate emergence as a beautiful butterfly. This transformation is called “metamorphosis.” However, the word metamorphosis has utility outside of the context of butterfly transformation. Websters defines the term as “a change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means.” We humans go through our own metamorphoses. The most notable might be what we like to call the “mid-life crisis.” It usually take place in the mid 40’s and can last 3 – 5 years or more. That span of time can really wreak havoc on one’s life. If the mid-life crisis is a fact of life for most people, why do we want to view it a “crisis” in the first place. Why can’t it be viewed more as a mid-life “chrysalis.” That is, as a stage that bridges the gap between what you were and what you will emerge as. Maybe what is occurring during this event of life is that the “real you” that has been suppressed by your years of trying to be a “responsible adult” is just trying to finally emerge, once and for all. No, dad, I am not “knocking responsibility.” What I am saying, however, is that we should not allow the idea of “responsibility” to act as a constraint against living the life that you were put on this earth to live. I am not too keen on the “puritanical” idea that we are supposed to just “suck it up” and remain in misery until we are greeted at the “pearly gates” by Saint Peter. I believe we were put on this earth to accomplish a pre-determined purpose and to enjoy the process of finding and accomplishing that purpose. So in that sense, the answer to the question posed yesterday, you know the one that asked…..”is the universe indifferent to how we direct our energy?”……is a resounding NO! According to my beliefs, there is a God behind the physical activity of the universe with his own idea of how our energy should be directed and the universe will operate more smoothly if it is so directed! Sometimes I believe it takes the “mid-life chrysalis” for us to come to that realization. Shrinks and Prozac aren’t what is needed during the interval. What is needed is introspection…translated, deep thought about what your life is really supposed to be about. Now what can happen during this period is that you engage in destructive and foolish behaviours that sabotage your achieving that realization. This process of self discovery will not take place if the period of metamorphosis is consumed with indulgent behaviours that will hurt you and hurt others. I know this from experience. But it is a time to reflect, a time to discover, a time to shed tired inhibitions and constraining expectations about how we are supposed to view ourselves and live our lives. But please consider this, it is hard to emerge as a “butterfly” when your idea of self-realization is to be a 50 year old man wearing a pony-tail and various and sundry piercings and tattooings. I guess there are women out there who find that attractive, but do you really want to be with them?
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