This Damselfly is the last thing I saw before breaking my thumb a few months ago. Damselfly symbolizes the brightness of transformation and the wonder of colorful new vision, according to Ted Andrews in Animal Speak. Maybe Damselfly showed up to illuminate something I needed to see more clearly.
I was building a woodshed when I broke my thumb. I was very excited because I had never built anything before. I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal, and when I put my mind to something, not much stands in my way. This is both a blessing and a curse.
On this day, I was making wonderful progress. I was ready to raise the shed so I could begin work on the roof, but I was by myself. I wanted it raised right that moment! I could lift the structure alone but I was having difficulty nailing it in place while holding it; however, I was determined (read — stubborn!). So while holding and hammering, I was exhausting myself. At last, I was ready to pound in the final nail and I went for it with all my remaining gusto. Somehow my thumb ended up beneath the hammer and suddenly all I saw were stars. I shattered the tip of my thumb to painful pieces.
The Damselfly illuminated my ego for me–that part of my very strong will that is stubborn and can get me into trouble. I needed help with the shed but I wanted to prove that I could do it by myself, and I didn’t want to wait for help. I was tired, weak, and sloppy. I had no business attempting what even a pro would have difficulty doing. Maybe Damselfly showed up before I broke my thumb trying to get my attention–get me to take a few deep breaths and return to my senses. Instead, I only stopped long enough to snap the photo. A few weeks later I completed the shed and months later I still have a bum thumb to remind me to return to my breath so that I can see more clearly.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
What a poignant lesson, Carla! I am the same way, but as I get older, I notice I’m not as agile as I once was (Duh!) and I am learning to take the time now to think through just how much risk is involved in holing onto my stubborn independence and what will I have to give up if things go wrong, as they did for you! The pain all by itself would impinge upon the important things in my life. It would be hard for me to be creative against this imposition! Thanks for reinforcing my new-found logic! And Oooooooohhh! The photo makes me hurt for you! Elora
Oh ouch, ouch, ouch, I FELT that! And you are describing me, too, Carla. Made me blush to read it. Zestful living can sometimes shade into over-eagerness/impatience and we independent types need to learn to accept help graciously.
What a tough lesson to learn from such a fragile-looking creature as Damselfly.
Hope your thumb returns to normal soon — lots of outside work in warm weather — barbara
Sorry to hear the thumb has been troubling you for so long… but somehow you are still able to glean richness and insight from injury. That inspires me. That and your acceptance of your humanness. I love learning from you.
And the woodshed looks great!
Thank you for your kind words, friends! My thumb is actually doing very well. It may never be 100% because I literally crushed the distal phalanx (I had to look that up!) but I can do most things without pain now. Things like turning on a lamp or tying my shoe laces are still hard but most things are just fine. I even have a mostly normal new nail now!