Earlier this month (on June 2^nd to be exact) I made a quick stop to Hobby Lobby to pick up something for a home crafts project. As I approached the checkout line, a book caught my eye.

I didn’t buy the book that day because I thought it might be a silly impulse purchase, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I returned to Hobby Lobby two weeks later and bought the book. Besides the dreamy and cheerful cover design (afterall I love bokeh!), what made me ultimately buy Box of Butterflies had to do with something that has been on my mind lately, and that is just how precious our time on earth is.

Sometimes what attracts us to a book is a reflection of something we’re looking for at the time. As a new mom who is madly in love with her daughter and enjoying the beginnings of motherhood so much, there’s a little part of me that mourns knowing that this magical time in my growing family’s life is ephemeral. Like a butterfly, time is fleeting and the subject matter of Box of Butterflies appealed to my desire to be prepared for the time when my daughter grows up and isn’t as much in our lives.

What Box of Butterflies Is All About

Released just three short months ago on March 6th, the book encourages readers to “dip in and out” of its content, to return to its picturesque pages whenever there’s a new challenge in our life.

The author of Box of Butterflies is none other than Roma Downey and it echoes messages that you might have seen if you watched her hit show from the 1990s Touched By An Angel. She shares some stories from her life, but mostly her book is a collection of quotes, poems, hymns, and Bible scriptures that she herself has found to be helpful in keeping hope alive and staying positive when life gets difficult.

What’s up with all the butterflies you ask? Butterflies have always been a symbol of hope for Roma, and because of the subject matter of the book butterflies are subtly sprinkled throughout the colorful pages of Box of Butterflies the same way little miracles in our life seem to randomly magically appear.

And you don’t have to be Christian or even a believer of any faith to appreciate this book. What Roma Downey set out to do with Box of Butterflies was to create a gentle reminder that transformation is possible and that dreams can true, you just have to keep an open mind and heart, and not be blind to what’s right in front of you.

In a story about her mother, who died of a heartattack when Roma was very young, Roma concludes,

We all have things that we want to lock up in the good room. Talents that we are too shy to share, joy that we postpone, time with our loved ones that we delay. Truth is, none us of know how long we have, so don’t keep your gifts locked up. Go ahead and open up the good room in your own heart, seize the moment and share your time and talents. Let today be the special occasion you’ve been waiting for..

Why I Recommend Box of Butterflies

Whether you are going through a tough time right now or are having the best year ever, this is a book that just makes you feel good. It’s perfect bedside or lazy summer day reading.

It also makes for a gorgeous thoughtful gift. It’s rare to find a book where every page is like a beautiful picture. I feel like I need to wash my hands before handling the book because the pages of are just so charming. Roma spared no expense when she went about the design, cover to cover. The pages are not the rough, paper pages we as adults know too well, instead the pages of Box of Butterflies are as you’d expect of a magical butterfly: smooth to the touch, colorful, and each page with a unique picture or accent to match the context of the page you’re reading.

So if you’re looking for something to read this summer, definitely consider Box of Butterflies.

Ever Wonder What It Means If You See Butterflies Often?

Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures nature has given us.  Their vibrant colors and graceful floating dance from flower to flower is truly breathtaking.

Seeing them is always lovely and special. Some people believe that butterflies carry messages from angels or are signs from deceased loved ones.

Butterflies have such a magical presence and quality that it’s easy to see why so much symbolism surrounds them. Have you been seeing a lot of butterflies lately, either in your waking life or in your dreams?

If so, the butterfly may be appearing as a power animal for you and is trying to tell you something.

Change Is Coming

If you’re seeing butterflies, you may want to ask yourself what changes you need to make to live more in alignment with your true, authentic self. Or, if you’re already experiencing huge changes and transformations in your life, the butterfly may simply be appearing to remind you it’s going to be okay. Change is a normal part of life. Trust in the process and rest well knowing that the gentle butterfly is helping to guide you through.

Freedom

Can you think of anything more free than butterflies as they glide gracefully from flower to flower?  They are the epitome of freedom.

Perhaps the butterflies you are seeing are trying to tell you to set yourself free.  If you are feeling closed in or purposely closing yourself off from people or opportunities, perhaps it’s time to stop.

It can be a scary process, but let the butterfly inspire you to keep moving forward along your path.

Live To The Fullest

Butterflies generally have short life spans.  Most live for only a week or two. Some species like the Monarch can live up to six months. Even so, that is not much time in the scheme of things.

Although we live much longer than the butterfly, life is short and time moves quickly. Sometimes we don’t realize it and all of a sudden, the years have slipped away. Butterflies teach us to enjoy the present moment and make the most of our existence here on earth.

Beauty

Nobody would disagree that the butterfly is one of the most beautiful creatures in nature with its vibrant colors and true grace.  But the butterfly starts its life as a homely caterpillar.

Only until it goes into its pupal state – goes deep into its inner self – does it emerge as the beautiful creature we see.

We all have the ability to go deep within ourselves and develop our beautiful qualities while letting go of our more ugly nature.

The next time a butterfly crosses your path, take heed of this beautiful messenger.  You are obviously meant to receive a message of great importance!

—Maria Shaw, Medium

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