Would You Rip The Wings Off A Butterfly For An All-Expenses-Paid Vacation?

“For an all-expenses-paid, one-week vacation anywhere in the world, would you be willing to tear the wings off a beautiful butterfly?  If so, would you be troubled enough to enjoy your trip any less?  What about stepping on a cockroach? …Does a beautiful creature merit more compassion than an ugly one?  If so, why?   Do you injure yourself psychologically by destroying something you find beautiful?  Is there a meaningful difference between pulling the wings off an insect and stepping on it?  How much would it take to induce you to rip the wings off a hummingbird or dove?”

Gregory Stock, The Book of Questions

Beyond the Quote (Day 375)

I finished reading The Book of Questions in February of 2015 and for some reason, the above question is one that left a deep imprint on my mind. I noticed, especially as of late, that since I read it, for no obvious or connected reason, it has been randomly popping into my head—would I tear the wings off a butterfly for an all-expenses-paid vacation anywhere in the world? And every time, I work through the same answer I always do. But what strikes me is that, if I answer the same way every time, why then does it keep recurring?

There’s something to be said about reoccurring thoughts—especially for ones whose reason for reoccurring isn’t obvious. Part of me thinks it might be the subconscious trying to communicate a message since it’s not something that I’m consciously recalling. And as far as I can tell, thoughts continue to reoccur until the purpose for those thoughts have been realized—the questions are answered; the problems are solved; the messages are rightfully delivered. Otherwise, why reoccur?

Now, for me, the answer has always been a quick and resounding no—absolutely not. It doesn’t matter how luxurious or exotic the trip is, I would never rip off a butterfly’s wings to get it. And while that may surprise some people, to me, it’s plain and simple—you don’t destroy for the sake of selfish gains. Period. If I’m going to take a vacation to a desired location in the world, that’s an opportunity that I want to build into my life with constructive, positive efforts—never something I would want to obtain through selfish, destructive, harmful means.

But, upon closer inspection, I think deep down part of me fears that maybe that answer isn’t as obvious or as widely shared with others as I might hope. And that thought scares me. Because if you are a person who is willing to rip the wings off a beautiful butterfly and thinks you can psychologically enjoy a vacation from doing so—I’m not so sure I would even know what to say to convince you otherwise.

Like, what could I say to you about that butterfly, or that cockroach, or that hummingbird, or that dove, that you don’t already know? That it’s alive; that it feels pain; that it would be left a torturous death; that symbolically, it’s a travesty… If you’re so disconnected from the feeling of compassion that you can only see the pleasurable opportunities that given situations provide for you—regardless of their expense to the other—I simply don’t know what else I can say.

Other than I hope you never cross paths with someone or something who sees a pleasurable opportunity—through you—and is willing to rip the wings off your back to obtain it.

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Read Next: 3 Uncommon Questions To Ask Yourself To Help You Get More Uncommon Results (Day 374)

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