Island Med Student

Today, I was very excited and pleased to discover a fully decked out clown in the hospital lobby. Apparently, he was making balloon animals and doing face painting for all the kiddies. Since I am myself a perpetual child, I excitedly stood in line for my turn. I was at least twice the height of everyone in the line, but I didn’t care.

After an interesting exchange with the clown, I had a brand spanking new, very colorful butterfly painted on my cheek. I was quite the happy camper.

I wore the butterfly on my cheek for the rest of the day, including my time at the hospital. I must admit that I seemed to feel less sick, and had a very cheerful pep in my step for the rest of the day. Of course I got many interesting glances from folks, but about 99% of them resulted in smiles. And I think quite a few kids were very jealous of my butterfly (even though I directed them to the clown in the lobby).

The butterfly on my cheek is merely one example of a fun “prop,” as I like to call it. I get much joy from wearing things like oversized sunglasses, caution tape belts, rainbow suspenders, tiger parasols, and the like. It seems that when I spend the day with a non-traditional and brightly colored object that doesn’t quite “fit” the occasion, my day is all the much better for it. In honor of today, I think I’ll name this phenomenon the “butterfly effect.”

So, it really got me thinking. Is it because I am a generally happy and jovial person that I have the urge to play with oversized and colorful props? Or do I play with oversized and colorful props and am then consequently very happy and jovial?

Which came first? The joviality or the oversized egg?

Perhaps the mystery will never be solved.

But I know one thing for sure, one should never underestimate the power of the butterfly effect.