"Hum," you might wonder, "What on earth is a Therapeutic Finger Puppet? This looks like a normal puppet I can play with now & again. I'll toss it on the shelf with my other toys."

"Or not!" 

"Who said that? I know I heard another voice. Show yourself," you demand, sternly. 

"I did! My name is 'Little Monarch', which sounds ordinary enough. But, look closer. I'm not just a beautiful butterfly, born to gorge myself on milkweed leaves once I fight through a forest of the sticky, web-like encasement that refused to release my chrysalis body. To survive & flourish, I required the brilliant sunshine of a new day so my wings could dry. Now, I can delight all who notice me as I float & flutter amongst gorgeous flowers, looking for my favorite nectar to imbibe. Did I forget to mention that I'm an apex pollinator, born to foster abundant life?" 

"Apex pollinator? That's smokin' cool. I never thought about a butterfly's purpose on the planet. Were you truly born to foster abundant life? What a tall mission for one so small," you ponder in disbelief.

"Did you mistake me for a finger puppet toy?" asks Little Monarch, inquisitively.

"Yeah, cuz that's what you look like...a toy based on a real butterfly. So what?" you bemoan.

"Ahh, there's so much more to me than what meets the eye...specifically, your eye. Gently slip me onto your index finger. Wiggle me around a bit. How do I feel attached to your finger? Silly? Comfy? Inviting? Can we become dear friends...for life?" asks Little Monarch softly.

"What the hey? You're talking to me, just like my friends. My other toys don't talk to me. Conversing with you feels strange, but in a good way, I guess," you confess, hesitantly.

"And that's how we become dear friends – by sharing our feelings from a deep & honest place in each of our hearts. With me, you can feel what you feel, and think what you think, without concern about judgment or criticism," invites Little Monarch.

"Wow, that'd sure be nice...like a breath of fresh air," you add wistfully.

➤  To read more, please go to www.compassion-heals.org & click on
     How to Tame Your Therapeutic Finger Puppet - "Little Monarch"  © Copyright 2025

 

"Yes, you can stop censoring whatever you're thinking or feeling. Our time together is your time to be real with yourself. Begin to cherish the precious moments we share. These moments contain fresh awakenings for you," Little Monarch details, smiling. 

"Fresh awakenings? How could you know something about me that I don't already know?" you insist.

"Our friendship does not revolve around thoughts swimming through your mind. When you drop out of your head & into your heart, you invite the magic of life to bring you unexpected richness," says

Little Monarch. 

"Are you speaking in a foreign language? Are such things possible?" you ask, in a puzzled voice.

"At first blush, I'm a gorgeous Monarch butterfly, which I am. But I'm more than ordinary, as are you. My words sound strange to you. My concepts strike you as impossible. What a perfect place to begin our journey together," delights Little Monarch.

"Journey? What journey?" you chuckle, lightheartedly.

"Why, the journey of life, of course. Each of us can only live in the present moment. We can plan for the future and remember the past, but life happens in the present moment, disappearing as quickly as it appears. And then, 'Poof!'. All gone. Never to return," Little Monarch shares.

"Never to return? What about the good stuff? Like the things that make me laugh?" you wonder.

"You can try to duplicate a perfect moment in time, but you'll never quite taste the initial sweetness that captivated a singular moment. Precious moments require absolute indulgence, with your eyes closed, to drink in your amazement - mind, body, and soul. Delightfulness is as fragile as it is ephemeral...before mysteriously turning into vapor," clarifies Little Monarch.

"How do I make the good stuff last?" you ask excitedly.

"You've stumbled onto the greatest conundrum of life," Little Monarch continues, "How does one live in the delighfulness of delicious moments when life seems to be dictated by busyness, exhaustion, conflict, disappointment, isolation, loneliness, sorrow, sadness, and suffering?" 

"I don't like to think about scary things. Deep contemplation is not my style. I'm not the right person to journey alongside you...too intense for me," you confess, pensively. 

"Contemplation is a scary place for you. That's okay. I'm not looking for the perfect person. You've been exploring since you were old enough to make sense of your external world. Alone. I'm here to flutter alongside you while you learn how to embody your internal world. I want to facilitate your deep dive into the unknown mysteries of your heart," explains Little Monarch. 

"My internal world? What would you know about my internal world?" you scoff, sarcastically.

 
"Ahhh, the fun begins. Here's what I know to be true: Each of us wants to discover the essence of our heart's desires...a mission that can be fraught with peril, confusion, miscombobulation, double-speak, lies, and subtext. That's a tall order at any age...especially if you're flying solo," shares Little Monarch.

"Huh? Do you want me to embody my inner world? Your words sound bizarro," you add dismissively.

"All of us are afraid of the unknown. If you've been neglected, abused, or traumatized, you may be terrified to feel your emotions deeply. Experiencing your emotions can lead to a loss of control. Don't avoid these emotions like the plague. Instead, integrate everything that happens to you as a pivotal part of your life. Disenfranchised emotions can hijack your equilibrium," cautions Little Monarch.

"How'd you know I'm terrified of the darkness hiding deep inside me?" you wonder, cautiously.

"We're all terrified of our inner darkness. And especially, of discovery by another. We spend countless hours and massive amounts of energy maintaining a unique disguise...despite knowing that the truth will eventually seep through the cracks and reveal the ruse," expounds Little Monarch.

"Not my finest hour..." you murmur, inaudibly.

"If I flutter alongside you, we can explore your issues together. Then, I can bolster your courage so you can dive deeper," Little Monarch suggests, in an upbeat tone. 

"My heart's desires, eh? Isn't that reserved for special people, while the rest of us struggle?" you ask.

"You deserve as much joy and delight as anyone else. There are no second-class citizens in the butterfly world," declares Little Monarch, beaming with joy.

"Your words sound too good to be true," you respond, relief in your voice.

"Every person is the right person to explore life's great conundrums. It all pivots around timing. I entered your life at the most perfect time, catching you unaware – an ideal starting point. Whenever you come across an opportunity, seize it. And, don't ever look back. You'll never regret any decision that brings joy and delight to your heart," expounds Little Monarch, smiling.

"I err on the side of caution, not adventure. I'm more of a spectator than a participant," you reply.

"Perhaps, you were aware of your heart's stirrings and didn't know how to react or what to do. Or, you choose to mute the painful signals emanating from your heart. While these heart-based stirrings can alert you, they can also create mental confusion. Without direction, guidance, and inspiration, anyone can bobble like a tiny cork atop the ocean's waves. Along with fellow spectators, who are equally lost at sea," explains Little Monarch.

"How do you know so much about what's going on for me?" you protest.

"Did I fail to mention that I possess a magical gift? I can 'read' hearts," shares Little Monarch, smiling.

 
"Read hearts? What the hey? We can read books, magazines, and signs, but nobody can read hearts! Do you expect me to believe that anyone can read hearts? Much less a butterfly!" you snort.

"I hear your well-founded skepticism. Perfect timing happens serendipitously. You are ready. Thus, I appeared. You have all of your answers. Each action carries over-arching intentions from your heart. Let's explore your internal landscape, together," offers Little Monarch.

"Your words pique my curiosity, but I still feel confused. I'm not an action-oriented person. What am I supposed to do?" you wonder, puzzlement in your voice.

"Ah, the easy part...just quietly notice and observe. I'm here to bestow the gift of lifelong introspection. Imagine what you might learn about yourself by living in the present.  When

you embody your 'outlaw' emotions, you make space for peaceful resolution," recommends

Little Monarch.

"Outlaw emotions? My head is spinning. Do I have bad emotions? Do they need to be punished to keep them from misbehaving?" you ask, chock-full of confusion.

"Just the opposite. Any of us can carry outlaw emotions, without awareness. Long ago, you banished these emotions to the barren, endless outback of your life, hoping to escape detection from another soul, destined never to see the light of day. You buried these emotions as a survival strategy, which served you well...at that moment. That was then. This is now, when those outlaw emotions are negatively impacting your ability to live a joyful life," expounds Little Monarch.

"Outlaw emotions? Is there any hope for me? What can I do?" you ask, nervously.

"There's always hope, no matter the size of the obstacle you're facing. Due to sheer terror, you banned your outlaw emotions. That's okay. You're safe now, able to accept your protective behavior of the past. We can gently open your heart to allow those scary emotions to be embodied. This slow process requires enormous patience and courage. Together, you can become whole again," reassures

Little Monarch.

"I'm terrified of abandonment. How can I trust you not to fly away and never return?" you worry.

"I understand your deep-seated fear. I am yours for life. I will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Invite the concept of outlaw emotions to percolate between your head and your heart,"

offers  Little Monarch.

"I guess I can ruminate on the concept you're describing," you tentatively confirm.

"Navigating the complexities of life is a rugged and steep uphill climb. You've been getting stronger and building resilience all along. We need to retrieve the outlaws that overwhelmed your tender heart. It's time to embody these scary emotions," reiterates Little Monarch.

"I feel petrified. And lost. Where do I begin?" you hesitantly ask.

"Inhale a deep belly breath and ask yourself, 'Who do I want to become?'" guides Little Monarch.

"Huh? I can choose. That's exactly what I need," you declare enthusiastically.

"Well, what do you want?" inquires Little Monarch. "You only get one shot at each moment in time." 

"I want my life to be soft, cushy, easy, and perfect, in every way," you describe, whimsically.

"Tell me, will your comfy life bring you joy and fulfillment?" asks Little Monarch.

"Sometimes, I hate your questions," you complain.

"Whew, now we're getting real. What a relief," sighs Little Monarch.

"I hate how easily you cut through my mask to reveal my inner truth," you confess.

"Which do you hate the most? My questions? Or the answers you hear bouncing between your head and your heart?" Little Monarch wonders, provocatively.

"How do you know what I'm thinking? I thought I was hiding better, pretending I was living my comfy life, cool as a cucumber. Looks like I'm busted by a butterfly who knows me better than I do. Insult to injury!" you snort, slightly disgusted.

"You've successfully hidden from others, but please don't try to hide from me. I feel the hollow sadness and disconnection emanating from your heart. By resolving your emotional dissonance,

you can walk in emotional freedom. And free your heart from its bondage to the past," Little Monarch gently describes.

"Your words lie far beyond my dreams, yet I crave what you describe. Can you help me?" you request.

"Of course. Whenever I sense tension, confusion, sadness, disappointment, or dissonance in your heart, my alert buzzers blare like there's no tomorrow," Little Monarch explains, chuckling.

"Ah, I see how the magic of reading hearts happens. I like it," you admit, quietly.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you we're together for all the right reasons?" Little Monarch snickers softly. 

​

© Copyright 2025