Last week, I wrote a tribute about the passing of my father. The process of writing that post was very cathartic for me. It helped me express my thoughts and feelings and in doing so, move forward through the emotions I was processing in a productive way. The many supportive and loving comments I received from so many of you truly touched my heart. We all get so busy with our day-to-day activities of life and it is not lost on me when someone takes the time to reach out with their thoughts or let me know something I wrote touched them. In fact, that is the greatest compliment I could ever receive.
In that post, I talked about the three signs I believed I had received from my father since he died. Since then, some other things have happened to me which caused me a bit of anxiety and laughter at the same time. Two days in a row last week, I received unmarked packages from Amazon with gifts in them, one being a beautiful wind chime with a poem about death attached to it, and the other being a silver dragonfly bracelet. I was perplexed. Who was sending me these gifts and why was there no card attached? At first it was kinda fun until I started freaking myself out over it. First the messages from Dad last week, and now this? What was going on???? Me being me…the queen of overthinking everything….I wondered if there was some hidden meaning to all this. I shared what was happening with my life coach, and she encouraged me to research the meaning behind the dragonfly and its spiritual significance. I even reached out to my eldest son for his help and wisdom on the matter. In doing so, I could visualize his eyes rolling at me through the phone as I explained to him I needed his help. “What now Mom?” was exactly the tone I was perceiving!
I never knew there was any spiritual significance to the dragonfly but this is what I learned.
Legend Has It That Dragonflies Were Given an Extra Set of Wings So That Angels Could Ride on Their Backs. When You See This Winged Beauty It’s an Exquisite reminder That an Angel From Heaven Is Visiting You.
Dragonflies are born underwater and take several months to several years to actually hatch and come up from the water. Because of this, they are considered a symbol of change and transformation. They can signify new beginnings, change, and strength. Once they do emerge and begin life above water, they have a very short life span of only about six months. This is believed to be a reminder to us that our time is short and we should live life to the fullest. (Of course in my mind, I wondered if this was a sign that I only had six months to live!!! Again, overthinking! After some assurance from my coach that this has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the person who has passed, I felt some relief! )
There is so much symbolism I found about the dragonfly. So many parallels to life and spirituality. As the dragonfly gracefully maneuvers its environment and withstands the winds of storms, so too should we navigate life. We should live life in the moment and adapt to whatever changes we need to as the dragonfly does. Who would have thought that something so flimsy looking as the dragonfly is actually a symbol of strength and perseverance?
The Native Americans and many other cultures around the world think of the dragonfly as a spirit guide. It is said to cross our paths when we are in moments of deep sorrow, joylessness, or going through deep change. If a dragonfly crosses our path, we are to examine our life, ask ourselves what emotions are we feeling, and is there something going on in our lives that we need to deal with. Sometimes the dragonfly is believed to be a symbol for transformation within ourselves. Some associate it with resurrection and new life, as well as the power of healing and transformation. As humans, we tend to not fully embrace change, but a dragonfly molts or sheds its outer coverings up to seventeen times in its short 6-month lifespan, hence, they are a symbol of growth and maturity and a reminder to us to embrace the changes life brings us and adapt accordingly. How many times do we molt and change in our lives? Do we adapt to the things around us gracefully or do we resist change at every turn because it scares us? Do we see change as a welcome opportunity to reinvent ourselves or as a necessary evil that makes us uncomfortable?
While the Bible doesn’t specifically mention dragonflies, many Christians associate them with the rebirth of Christ and his Ascension into Heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things become new.” Isn’t this what we want to believe happens after death? The pain is wiped away and we are restored, whole, healthy, and new again in God’s image? There are other parallels we can draw from the bible on this subject that all revolve around new life, being content with the life we have, and embracing change. As the dragonfly flutters about Fearlessly and Faithfully relying on its own strength, shouldn’t we?
I am thankful that this silver dragonfly bracelet came in the mail, and I am even more thankful to the two beautiful women who gifted it to me. (I am also extremely thankful to the helpful person at Amazon who helped me track the package and determine who sent these gifts to me so I could relax and get some sleep!) Whenever I wear it and look down at my wrist, I will not only be reminded of them and my father but also of the strength I have inside. I will remember to make the most of each day, to share my gifts with others, and try to create something beautiful with my life to leave behind. It is a reminder to be open to whatever life brings and trust that any transformation in my life will be for the greater good.
“Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and we can reflect light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.”
Robyn Nola
