Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
You probably have heard this quote many times, my interpretation of it is - if you live your life vibrantly, colorfully, mindfully, savoring the little things and the big things, making connections with people and places... happiness like a butterfly, finds you. Happiness is not some goal, not some destination but it is just making the choice, in accepting and in living you life well without regrets but with soulful intention and mindful choices, being thankful and happy that you have this opportunity to live, to breathe and to be happy... so lets be happy in the now!
Butterfly is a symbol of joy and transformation, while I’m not sure if a butterfly lands on you it will bring you happiness, but if you want to increase your chances you should visit the Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Arizona where a butterfly is sure to sit on you! The design of the Butterfly Wonderland represents cultural elements of importance to the Salt River Pima Maricopa community. The bold exterior paints reflect the land’s colorful landscape - yellow for sunlight, red for sunset, brown for earth, green for vegetation, and a vibrant spectrum of colors in the butterfly logo. The logo was adapted from an original edition silk screen serigraph by Marvin Oliver. He is one of the Northwest coast’s foremost contemporary sculptor and printmaker and a professor of American Indian Studies and Art at the University of Washington. The butterfly logo is from Oliver’s piece titled “Golden Messenger” in which the butterfly’s wings are formed by Eagle and Raven - surrounded by multiple individual butterflies.
Another beautiful concept that I learnt at the Butterfly wonderland was - the Burden Basket!
A burden basket is used to gather food for a family, then left on the doorsteps as a reminder to leave ones sorrows and burdens outside before entering the home! Isn't that beautiful and touching! Butterfly wonderlands' building design incorporates symbolic references to this burden basket of the Native People through the woven steel facade and curved steel posts extending beyond the roof line. Visitors are encouraged to embrace the concept of burden basket and leave their burdens at the door of Butterfly Wonderland and experience the incredible, immersive beauty of the living animal and plan kingdom that inhabit the skies, lands and waters of our beautiful planet.
Additional Information
Butterfly Wonderland is the largest indoor butterfly pavilion in America, and should certainly be on top your list of "Things to do in Arizona". It has a magnificent glass atrium that provides the ideal tropical rainforest habitat where thousands of butterflies from around the world fly freely. Before you enter the pavilion you get to watch a 3D movie “Flight of the Butterflies” in a state-of-the-art theater and learn a little about these beautiful creatures. Then you move on to the waiting area which houses the chrysalis before entering the interactive rainforest habitat housing thousands of butterflies. Make sure to watch your step as there might be some butterflies chilling on the floor.
Address: 9500 East Vía de Ventura, Scottsdale, AZ 85256
Tickets: $19.95 for Adults and $12.95 for kids up to age 12
You can find more pictures of the pretty butterflies here