Once upon a time…
Hardly spilling any of her Mimosa, Annalise spread her arms. “But where is the magic? Countless fairytale princesses were pursued and won by dashing knights… Why won’t the universe…?”
“The universe doesn’t give a rat’s ass” Kate nudged Jen, who stifled a giggle.
Each sipping a mimosa, Annalise, Kate, and Jen slipped out of the lakeside restaurant. They strolled the rough path above the shoreline. A bright orange dragonfly darted about and Mayflies danced across the water like tiny ice skaters. Singing from atop a nearby tree, a black-billed magpie drew the trio’s applause. A fountain splashed mid-way across the water.
“Hold my mimosa…” Annalise handed her glass to Jen. She crouched to examine a large brown leaf laying on the path. Despite the still air, it quivered. Her friends watched as Annalise gently tipped the leaf to reveal a little green frog.
“OMG he’s wearing a crown,” she cooed.
The frog leaped into the water before she could cup it in her hands.
“Typical fear of commitment.” snarked Jen.
Annalise watched the ripples spread into the lake. “He said something.”
“Was it ‘ribbit’?” teased Kate.
The dragonfly hovered by Annalise’s head. “No. It sounded like he said ‘Not yet.’”
The others laughed, “How many mimosas have you had, Leese? …aren’t you a bit old for fairy tales?”
Kate said, “Eww you don’t want to get warts. You won’t catch a man with warts.”
Annalise stood and smoothed her skirt. “Warts are from toads, Kate. Not frogs. Anyway, I’m pretty sure that’s an old wife’s tale.”
Annalise touched their arms. “Shhh…” Nodding toward the muddy shore, she whispered, “He’s back. I must… Stay here.”
Annalise moved a few steps toward the frog and kneeled onto the soft earth. The frog took notice and hopped tentatively in her direction. He did indeed appear to be wearing a crown.
Trying not to laugh, Kate and Jen stepped back.
Annalise reached out and cupped her hands, a gesture of offering. She bowed her head like a lady-in-waiting might, for royalty. The frog hopped toward her and stopped. Annalise held her pose. The frog then hopped several more times, stopping just short of her open palms. He regarded her silently. With one last lunge, he landed right in her open hands. Annalise looked up and their eyes met. She gently raised her hands to her face. The frog sat still.
Annalise and the frog gazed at each other for a long moment. She leaned in and kissed him on the nose and she felt him press into her lips.
Annalise felt dizzy. Mist rose and swirled. She and the frog stood in the vortex. For a moment, a thought crossed her mind about frogs with poisonous skin. But this felt magical and pleasant. And fun! Not at all poisonous.
The frog grew to match her stature and the mist cleared to reveal them standing, arm in arm, on a lily pad. He remained a frog. She looked down and noticed that she had taken on froglike attributes. He smiled. “Welcome, Princess Annalise. Thank you for returning.” He leaned in and kissed her the sweetest kiss ever.
The bright orange dragonfly, now enormous to her, hovered nearby. It said, “Is there anything your highness desires?”
Pondering for a moment, Annalise realised she suddenly had an enormous craving for Mayflies. “I’ve never had one. Would it be too much…?”
“Of course not, Milady. I’ll see to it directly.” The dragonfly disappeared. In a moment, he returned bearing a plate with the most beautiful display of Mayflies.
Annalise popped one into her mouth and it tasted better than she ever could have imagined. The frog prince put his arm around her waist for a gentle hug. She moved into his embrace and began to giggle.
Pulling away for a moment, Annalise turned to him. “Oh Froggie? Do you mind if I call you Froggie?”
“Of course!” He laughed. “I expect no less. What else would you call me?”
They laughed together and kissed. And laughed and kissed some more.
“Would you like to know your future? If your answer is yes, think again. Not knowing is the greatest life motivator. So enjoy, endure, survive each moment as it comes to you in its proper sequence – a surprise.”
―
Moral of the Story:
From day one, we are placed on a path that we are supposed to follow. Our parents and teachers give us the expectations they have for us, and we set out to discover what we are made of. We can become so obsessed with these expectations that we feel everything in life must go according to plan. However, the most exciting things in life are unexpected. Our greatest wealth is knowing we are already complete within ourselves. You need nothing more, lack nothing. Let’s say you unexpectedly lose a job, house, or car. Decide how you can live today with a sense of fun and grace even if you are experiencing delays and frustration. The discipline of smiling in the face of adversity will probably turn life events once again in your favour.
Change of an old routine or structure to which you have become accustomed and do not question makes your day-to-day much more interesting. The upheavals we face in life are often necessary, yet we only tend to see this once the dust settles. Learn to expect the unexpected. Do what scares you until it doesn’t. Become less attached to the likelihood of any particular expectation and stress will lift from your shoulders. Your point of power is always in the present moment. Be flexible, truthful, and willing to be surprised by life and any phase can be a productive one. It is from the unexpected events that you emerge more adaptable, more flexible in your thinking, and able to see a way ahead that is more true to you than you had dreamed possible.
“Most people want to be circled by safety, not by the unexpected. The unexpected can take you out. But the unexpected can also take you over and change your life. Put a heart in your body where a stone used to be.”
―
Affirmation: I trust the process of life.
I am strong and resilient and I can handle whatever life throws my way. I choose to face my fears with courage and tenacity. I am grateful for new challenges that help me to grow and evolve. I embrace the unexpected with curiosity and gratitude. Change is natural and I welcome it with an open mind. I am excited and delighted by the unexpected. Change is the opportunity for me to become even more exquisite. I flow with the unexpected and enjoy the natural transformation that occurs as a result. I believe in my talents and skills to make things better wherever I go. I am stronger, wiser, and more confident with each new day. I stand up for myself by saying how I truly feel with kindness. I am worthy of all good things. I now step out of my comfort zone to become the best I can be. I trust myself, and my instincts, above anyone else. I adapt to all unexpected surprises in life easily and effortlessly. And so it is.
“The unexpected might be the place we were meant to be all along.”
― Nicole A Oliver
