Several months ago a job opened at work, one that I have lots of experience doing, but had sworn never to do again. For some reason that escapes me now, I applied for it. The first day into training I knew the stupidity of my plan, but thanks to my upbringing, I had to follow it through to the bitter end. Or so I thought. Thankfully, after four stressful months I was allowed to return to my previous position. Hopefully, this experience will remain in the forefront of my mind so that I won't make the same mistake again. I will say this, I learned an incredible amount which will make me that much better at what I prefer doing.

Thinking about all of this brings to mind the butterfly (yes, I know how circuitous this is, but this is how my mind works).

I chose to use my drawing of a tiger swallowtail butterfly as my identifying photo on The Hub with good reason. The original sits in a frame on my desk at work ... not a photo, but the actual butterfly I used as inspiration for the drawing. For me, that particular butterfly is a symbol of strength, beauty and above all, change.

It was while Jim was trucking. I'm not exactly sure what state we were in when this gorgeous butterfly got itself hooked by one wing to the passenger side mirror. There was no way we could stop as we were on an interstate and traffic was moving quickly (I did ask, but Jim just gave me an incredulous look and exasperated sigh).

I watched as it hung on for over a hundred miles. As we were slowing for a rest stop I opened the window and gently brought the swallowtail inside and laid it on the dashboard. The wing it had been holding on with was badly damaged, but it was still alive! It struggled to live for another two hours before finally giving up.

What amazing insects! Starting as a tiny egg and metamorphosing into spectacular creatures, capable of floating on air, their whole existence is about transformation - one cycle to the next.

I looked at that butterfly yesterday and thought about how the one constant in all creation is change. I have long believed everything happens for a reason. Prepared or not - like it or not, we are always where we are supposed to be for the next undertaking.

When I thought about the fragility of the butterfly and how tenaciously they hang on to accomplish what needs to be done during their short life cycle it made me realize what lessons I am slowly learning by observing the simplicity of nature.