My mind sometimes works in mysterious ways. Often when I see a bright green female Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis), like the one in this image that I captured during a visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I can’t help but think of Kermit the Frog. Why?
Kermit the Frog has always been my favorite Muppets character. I have distinct memories of Kermit singing one of his signature songs, “It’s not easy being green” in which he laments his green coloration, expressing his concern that green “blends in with so many ordinary things” and wishing to be some other color.
“It’s not that easy being green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-
or something much more colorful like that.
It’s not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.
And people tend to pass you over ’cause you’re not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water-
or stars in the sky.”
Have you ever felt that way, wishing you could stand out more from the crowd, uncomfortable in your own skin? I know that I have sometimes felt that way.
In the end, though, Kermit recalls positive associations with the color green, and concludes by accepting and embracing his color.
“But green’s the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain, or tall like a tree.
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But, why wonder? Why wonder?
I’m green and it’ll do fine
It’s beautiful, and I think it’s what I want to be.”
Life’s too short to worry and complain about all the things that we are not, to constantly compare ourselves with others, to become green with envy. It is so much more rewarding when you can boldly embrace who you are and ignore the views of the naysayers on the sidelines.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 