What Happened to the Toad?
Aside from this story, the toad is often overlooked these days—just another common creature.
Yet across ancient Egypt, Mesoamerica, and China, the toad has long been seen as a powerful spiritual symbol.
It appears in folklore and myth as both hero and villain—and like many symbolic creatures, its meaning begins with transformation.
Toads represent:
🌀 Transformation & renewal
🌿 Humility and simplicity
💫 Wisdom & patience
🌱 Healing & connection to the earth
🍀 Opportunity & abundance
✨ Hidden beauty & inner worth
All this… in a humble toad.
The toad has its own kind of beauty.
But with so much promise, how did the toad in the story become the greedy and gluttonous toad?
Who—or what—does the toad represent in our world today?
Taking far beyond any true need.
Consuming without care.
When did ego begin to overshadow the true self?
Freedom comes in many forms.
To Be a Dragonfly — Rising from the Mire to the Light
Last week I was looking out my sliders into the backyard of my apartment. It was late afternoon, and the sun was at its height. I noticed a bunch of flying insects but thought, It’s October — it can’t be dragonflies, especially that many. It rained the next couple of days at that time, and I didn’t see anything in the yard. But the next bright afternoon, they were back — and they were dragonflies. A large swarm. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t remember ever seeing them like that before, especially in October. I’d like to think they were there for me — that maybe it was a sign. I could really use one right now. As I think most of us could.
It was beautiful watching them — dozens of dragonflies flying freely in the sunlight. I wondered what that must feel like, to experience that kind of freedom. A day or two later, they were gone.
I started thinking about the life of a dragonfly and how short it really is in that final, flying form. On average, they spend less than 10% of their lives as the dragonflies we see — if they even make it to that stage. Most of their existence is spent as nymphs, living in the mud and murky water below the surface.
Isn’t that a lot like us? What percentage of our lives do we spend in the mire — never reaching that moment of freedom? Like the nymphs, we often live below the surface, not realizing what we’re meant to be. We live on instinct, unaware of our potential, sometimes even accepting that as enough.
I aspire to one day be a dragonfly — to experience that kind of freedom. Too often, we get so entrenched in the mire that we forget our potential, or convince ourselves it’s unreachable, or that we’re not worthy of it. But the truth is, that freedom is there for all of us. To be our true selves. It’s what we were meant to have — no matter our sex, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or any other label placed on us.
We are all human. We are connected. At the core, we are the same.
Review by Shari LaRosa, LCSW @kindmindauthor
This Extraordinary Journey.. was an extraordinary story, very captivating and I couldn't put it down until I finished. I found myself applying the experiences to my own life and appreciated the moments of deep reflection. The human characteristics of the animals encouraged me to think about those within my own world, one's own values and the way fate can intervene. I love the illustrations and felt the story was truly unforgettable. I will always look at dragonflies now and see a touch of magic and be reminded that we all have a purpose!
Who is the butterfly?
🦋 The Soul of the Butterfly 🦋
Butterflies, with their delicate wings and vibrant colors, have long captivated human hearts. Beyond their physical beauty, they carry profound spiritual meaning across cultures.
Their life cycle—from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly—mirrors transformation, rebirth, and spiritual growth.
In ancient Greece, the word for butterfly, psyche, also meant “soul,” linking these creatures to the eternal journey of the spirit.
Across traditions, butterflies symbolize:
✨ Divine Guidance
✨ The Soul’s Journey & Eternal Life
✨ Transformation & Personal Growth
✨ Rebirth & Renewal
✨ Spiritual Awakening
✨ Freedom & Liberation
✨ Resilience & Endurance
✨ Love & Connection
✨ Hope & Optimism
✨ Joy & Lightness
✨ Creativity & Expression
✨ Beauty & Grace
But in our story, we must ask—how does a creature with so much beauty and potential become the beautiful, yet narcissistic, butterfly? What changed her? 🦋
✨ Why the Dragonfly? ✨
For thousands of years—from ancient Egypt to today—the dragonfly has been a symbol of transformation and spirit. They’re not just beautiful creatures, but guides with powerful meaning that inspired The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Dragonfly.
🪷 Ancient Survivors – Dragonflies have existed for millions of years.
🌊 Born in Water – They begin life as nymphs beneath the surface, sometimes for years, before transforming.
🕊 Brief but Brilliant – Adults live only weeks, yet fly in six directions with unmatched grace.
👁 Visionaries – Nearly 360° eyesight lets them perceive the world in ways we can’t.
💔 Under Threat – Many species are endangered, reminding us how fragile nature’s balance is.
✨ Their journey mirrors our own: short, radiant, and filled with purpose. Across cultures, dragonflies are seen as:
· Change & Transformation
· Adaptability & Flexibility
· Self-Realization & Inner Growth
· Messengers of Hope
· Guides for Emotional Healing
· Symbols of Strength
· Living in the Present Moment
· Guardians of Dreams
· Harbingers of Good Luck
· Keepers of Nature’s Balance
No wonder they inspire us to grow, adapt, and shine while we can. 💫
A tribute to Jane Goodall
🌿✨ A Tribute to Jane Goodall ✨🌿
Jane Goodall was a light in this world—gentle yet powerful. To me, she embodied what it means to be a hero: compassionate, courageous, and endlessly devoted to something greater than herself.
When I was younger, I felt most alive outdoors. I was endlessly curious about the natural world, fascinated and filled with wonder. Over time, through life’s demands, I drifted away from that deep connection I once had. Lately, I realize how much I miss it.
Jane’s life’s work reminds us how vital that connection is—not just for our own wellbeing, but for the future of the planet. Too often, people are consumed by daily demands, egos, or simply the struggle to survive, and we forget that we are part of nature, not separate from it.
Her voice and her legacy call us to remember. To slow down. To care. To reconnect.
🌿 Some of Jane’s Words to Remember
“The greatest danger to our future is apathy.”
“Here we are, the most clever species ever to have lived. So how is it we can destroy the only planet we have?”
“Let us develop respect for all living things. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love.”
“Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”
“We are part of the animal kingdom, not separated from it.”
“The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Thank you, Jane, for showing us what compassion, courage, and wisdom look like. The world is brighter because of the light you left behind. 🌍💚
Now at Barnes & Noble, Naples location
The book is now in stock at the local Barnes & Noble in Naples. See it on the New and Noteworthy shelves.
Instagram Review by @ameliessa_books
See post for more details: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOFcp37xE2J/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
✨ A tiny dragonfly with big questions.
🌿 A magical valley untouched by humans.
🦋 A journey full of challenges, wisdom, and hope.
The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Dragonfly by John Fuller @spiritualjourneyofadragonfly is a tender and meaningful story for young readers, but also for anyone who wonders about life, love, and purpose.
It reminds us that even the smallest creatures can ask the biggest questions and find answers that light the way. 💫
The Mantis
🌿 Who is the Mantis in the Willow? 🌿
Across the world and through the centuries, the praying mantis has been honored in myth, religion, and folklore.
Its name comes from the Greek mantis, meaning “prophet” or “seer.” In Ancient Greece and Egypt, it was seen as a guardian of the afterlife and a guiding light for lost souls.
The mantis carries deep spiritual meaning—faith, self-awareness, and a connection to the divine. Its still, prayer-like pose calls us to pause, breathe, and listen for the quiet guidance within.
It embodies:
🌱 Connection to Nature
🌱 Balance & Harmony
🌱 Stillness & Patience
🌱 Courage & Fearlessness
🌱 Protection & Guardianship
🌱 Focus & Clarity
🌱 Mindfulness in Action
🌱 Intuition & Inner Guidance
🌱 Transformation & Growth
🌱 Spiritual Awakening & Connection to the Divine
The Mantis reminds us that this same divine connection lives in each of us—waiting to be found in moments of stillness. ✨
The Butterfly
🦋 The Soul of the Butterfly 🦋
Butterflies, with their delicate wings and vibrant colors, have long captivated human hearts. Beyond their physical beauty, they carry profound spiritual meaning across cultures.
Their life cycle—from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly—mirrors transformation, rebirth, and spiritual growth.
In ancient Greece, the word for butterfly, psyche, also meant “soul,” linking these creatures to the eternal journey of the spirit.
Across traditions, butterflies symbolize:
✨ Divine Guidance
✨ The Soul’s Journey & Eternal Life
✨ Transformation & Personal Growth
✨ Rebirth & Renewal
✨ Spiritual Awakening
✨ Freedom & Liberation
✨ Resilience & Endurance
✨ Love & Connection
✨ Hope & Optimism
✨ Joy & Lightness
✨ Creativity & Expression
✨ Beauty & Grace
But in our story, we must ask—how does a creature with so much beauty and potential become the beautiful, yet narcissistic, butterfly? What changed her? 🦋
The Red Dragonfly
✨ The Deeper Meaning of the Dragonfly ✨
More than just a creature of natural beauty, the dragonfly has held deep spiritual significance since ancient Egypt. Across cultures, it symbolizes transformation, self-discovery, and the lightness of being.
Whether seen skimming the water’s edge or appearing as a recurring sign, the dragonfly invites us to:
Embrace change and personal growth
Trust our inner wisdom
Live fully in the present
Find strength in challenges
Stay adaptable and free
Reconnect with nature’s balance and harmony
Carry hope forward
The red dragonfly, in particular, stands for courage, strength, mysticism, and transformation.
But in the story… how does a creature with such beauty, depth, and spiritual power become the egotistical and power-hungry red dragonfly?
What changed him?
The greedy and gluttonous toad
The Toad: Not So Ordinary After All
The toad is often overlooked these days—just another common creature. But across ancient Egypt, Mesoamerica, and China, the toad has long been seen as a powerful spiritual symbol. It shows up in folklore and stories as both hero and villain, and like many symbolic creatures, its meaning starts with transformation.
Toads represent:
🌀 Transformation & renewal
🌿 Wisdom, patience & resilience
🌱 Fertility, abundance & healing
✨ Hidden beauty & inner worth
🍀 Prosperity, luck & opportunity
All that… in a humble toad.
If that surprises you, you’re not alone. But once you read more about their symbolism, it starts to make sense. The toad has its own kind of beauty.
So, here’s a thought:
How does a creature with so much potential become the greedy, gluttonous toad in the story?
I think we’ve all met a few like that along the way.
What do you think?
THE LOTUS
🌸 The Lotus Flower: Ancient Symbol, Timeless Wisdom 🌸
Did you know lotus flowers have existed for over 145 million years—and even survived the Ice Age? Their seeds can lie dormant for more than a thousand years without water.
In many Asian cultures, parts of the lotus are consumed or used medicinally. But beyond its practical uses, the lotus has held deep spiritual significance since ancient Egypt and throughout many Eastern cultures and religions.
🌿 This sacred flower symbolizes spiritual growth, renewal, and rebirth. It encourages us to release what no longer serves us and trust in the universe’s support.
🌿 It represents our inner sanctum—a sacred space of self-awareness and divine connection.
🌿 It reminds us that fragile strength is not weakness, but a badge of honor earned through life’s trials.
🌿 It embodies cosmic harmony and balance, guiding us toward peace, clarity, and purpose.
🌿 And it helps us transcend the ego, opening the door to soul freedom and a deeper consciousness.
Let the lotus inspire your journey of personal growth. 🌺✨
The friendly grasshopper
🦗 Grasshoppers have been around for 250 million years.
One of the oldest herbivorous insects, they go through powerful life stages—just like dragonflies.
They’re not as trendy in today’s culture, but grasshoppers carry deep spiritual meaning. Across cultures, their symbolism is rooted in their behavior and life cycle.
That’s why there’s a grasshopper in the story. 🧡
🌀 They represent:
• Personal growth
• Transformation
• New beginnings
• Trusting your intuition
• Balance, patience & presence
• Death & rebirth
• Prosperity and luck
We all carry pieces of each character in the story. The grasshopper reminds us that change is powerful—and necessary.
I found so much meaning in their symbolism, and this is just a small glimpse. Go look them up—you might be surprised what resonates with you.
The hungry but empathetic bird.
The bird in the story was modeled after the Bittern. They're part of the heron family, with many species living in different parts of the world. Their usual habitats are reed beds and other wetlands.
A Bittern doesn’t carry spiritual meaning like many of the other characters in the story. What he does represent is all of us who are in survival mode. We often get so caught up in our daily lives, challenges, and stresses that we lose ourselves and forget what’s truly important—our soul. We forget to nourish it. We lose our inner peace. We have to remember to open our eyes and see the good and the beauty that still exists in the world. It is there—we just sometimes forget.
When the little dragonfly encounters the bird, he reminds him: “There is more to life than just eating or being eaten.”
I think we all have the potential to be any—or all—of the characters.
A little about dragonflies.
✨ Why the Dragonfly? ✨
Most people know what a dragonfly is—but do you know why they’re so loved and symbolically powerful across cultures, since even ancient Egypt?
Here are a few fascinating facts that also connect deeply to the story in The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Dragonfly:
🪷 They’ve been around for millions of years.
Talk about staying power.
🌊 They start life in water.
Dragonflies begin as eggs, then live as nymphs underwater for up to five years, depending on the species—before finally transforming into what we recognize as a dragonfly.
🕊 Their adult lives are brief.
Once fully transformed, they typically live only 1 to 8 weeks. But what they do with that time is… extraordinary.
🚁 They can fly in 6 directions.
Up, down, forward, backward, left, and right—making them one of nature’s most agile fliers.
⚡ They’re fast.
One of the fastest flying insects, with wings that operate independently.
👁 They see almost everything.
Their massive eyes give them a field of vision close to 360 degrees, and they can perceive around 200 images per second (humans see about 60).
💔 They’re under threat.
In 2021, the IUCN reported that 16% of dragonfly and damselfly species are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss in wetlands and rivers.
✨ Their journey is short, wild, transformative, and deeply symbolic. No wonder they represent change, resilience, and purpose—just like the story.
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