This morning when I got into my car in the garage, there was a fly on the dashboard. As I pushed the button to raise the garage door and back out, he started flying frantically around the inside of the car. I stopped in the driveway to push the button to close the garage door. The fly settled on the dash next to the glass. I opened the windows and shoved at him with an envelope to encourage him to fly out. I was not successful; he moved to the passenger side of the dash and continued flying frantically up and down against the glass. I headed down the driveway figuring that air currents would soon boost him out the open windows. Three blocks later he was still beating himself against the windshield glass. He never ventured away from the perceived escape exit of the front windshield. After than initial flight around the inside of the car, he never tried to fly in any direction but into the windshield. If he had, there were four other windows wide open that would have led him to freedom.
I stopped at the red light at the Mormon Church and was finally successful at scooting the fly out an open window. Notice I said "the light." There's only one light between my house and the high school. The stop at the light gave me thinking time. Perhaps the Universe had sent the fly to remind me of another of life's lessons. If the light had been green, that fly would probably still be trapped against the windshield of my car and I would have missed an opportunity to ponder.
This is what I was pondering. Like the fly against the window, it is sometimes impossible to see the options that are available to us. Sometimes you have to look farther than just what is in front of you. Even though it is uncomfortable to leave the safety of the dashboard, sometimes the only viable solution will be outside of the perceived safety zone.
So, the darn fly has popped in and out of my head all morning...now I just need to figure out why the Universe thought I needed to be reminded of this lesson. Or, it was just a fly on the windshield...
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An excellent lesson. I have a sister-in-law in an abusive situation. For years I've listened and watched while she continues to butt her head against a brick wall, repeating the same sentences over and over and over again. She refuses to see or listen to a way out.
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson!
ReplyDeleteI admire your ability to extract a life lesson from this everyday occurrence.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. I have the same thing happen to me now and then and wonder if there is a message I'm missing. You know, not everybody is so kind and would just have swatted the fly. You drove around with your windows open hoping that he would escape, and you were successful. Good story! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a fly on the windshield. And a mind built for pondering...and that's the really cool part. The fly's brain held on to one piece of information and one option; you, on the other hand, conceived of a universe and gave it a capitalized identity and an intention. What could be more meaningful than that?
ReplyDeleteOh, you better figure out why the universe sent this message because isn't it true that it keeps presenting lessons until we learn them?
ReplyDeleteAh!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, we are just clueless.
You never know what will be the catalyst to get us thinking. Thanks for sharing your reflections about looking for options that may just be right in front of us. I'll try to take your advice during this up and down job hunt for my husband. Thanks so much - and the poison ivy is on its way out - hooray!! Take care, Kelly
ReplyDeletegood read. made me think. i wonder if there could be something right under my nose that i have been overlooking?
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I'm adding it to my list. I'm about the same age as you and I think your musings will help open my eyes to whatever lies ahead.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought -- and so true! It's so easy to focus on one area and miss all the wide open opportunities just waiting so nearby.
ReplyDeleteI love how you sat back and reflected on this, we can learn much from these everyday happenings would we but only give them some thought. And yes, it is so true we often become so focused on keeping on keeping on, we forget there may be other, better options staring us right in the face.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, all I can say is, you've got me thinking ...
ReplyDeleteIt was just a fly on the window, not a messenger from the vast expanse of the universe.
ReplyDeleteBut the thoughts are good. I tend to stick with my comfort zone far too much . . . . .
Oh, drat that fly . . .