nail polish

Ten months ago I got a pedicure during a bachelorette party for a friend. That was in May, 2009. I had my toe nails painted red. The polish held up pretty well during the summer and - warning, this might sound disgusting - I just never bothered to take it off, especially during the winter when I wore socks all the time. Amazingly, the teflon polish never wore off. It just became a narrower and narrower stripe on the end of my big toe as it grew out. Today, March 15 2010, I trimmed the last stripe off. As I look at the fresh unpainted nails, I can't help but think it signifies a new beginning. Not to mention the conclusion of a conflict that began around the time I got the pedicure. The red is cleaned away.

There's one stage in the butterfly's cocoon I forgot to mention. The sheath holds the butterfly still until it's strong enough to burst through. Claustrophobic stillness is not an end, it's the beginning. In that state a sense of urgency is birthed: The butterfly must find it's own strength and will to break through. The butterfly only appears still. Meanwhile, the resistance of the cocoon is making it stronger and stronger. This is the fight of the butterfly's life: the fight for life. With every subtle motion of struggle, the butterfly grows closer to freedom. But, it will never be free unless it fights.