Like a butterfly, freedom is right in front of you.

We have most likely all heard the powerful metaphor referring to a butterfly and the significance it bears for many people. It is a symbol of transformation or metamorphosis, relative to a change or a newfound experience. We are all in metamorphosis throughout our lives, beginning when we start to grow and experience life as a young soul. At birth, we begin our life's journey as we emerge from the cocoon of our mother's womb. Our flight is only just beginning when we take our first breath and spread our wings to take off. We greeted our first day with anticipation. We experienced a metamorphosis when we were born, thus entering this earth plane of existence. As we grow, we move on to experience a constant transformation, both physically and psychologically. Our physical bodies are developing while our bones and joints, muscles, cartilage, and other essential organs are forming into permanent structures we will depend on for the rest of our lives. When we begin to develop our own personalities, we are challenged to overcome trials and tribulations that mold us into who we are. We too are like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Each day our life changes as we spread our wings to fly, adding another memory into our photo album, or tucking it someplace into our mind or heart for later use.

Metamorphosis also occurs when the dark of night is transformed into a lovely morning each day we wake up to greet it. Then we spread our wings and fly through the day, facing possible outcomes and adjusting to changes as they arrive. A continuous transformation occurs as the hours pass by and day turns to night. When we learn and acquire knowledge we are transforming our minds and expanding our memory bank. And each day we live and breathe, our environment is magically transformed before our very eyes. The dawn arrays the sky in a blaze, chased by the sun as the day begins. Evening brings the setting of the sun, casting a beautiful painting across a pale blue sky as the day draws to an end. Stars appear in the sky and the moon rises high, shining its light over us all. We are in constant change. It is a matter of how we accept them.

How Do You Deal With Change?

Change is a necessary and ongoing condition. It can be positive or negative depending on the outcome. A cocoon (chrysalis) is a warm and safe place for a developing butterfly while it grows and matures. Beginning its early growth stage as a caterpillar, it transforms as it slowly reaches full maturation. Upon full maturity, the transformed caterpillar emerges as a butterfly where it is freed from its cocoon to fly away to a new life. It is amazing and enchanting how a butterfly can be transformed from a caterpillar into an elegant creature of flight. When the conditions are right, a butterfly emerges from its cocoon as a beautiful and graceful creature that is free to gather nectar from flowers and shrubs in neighboring gardens. They never fail to delight onlookers who manage to catch a peek. When all the right elements are brought together in harmony, a successful chrysalis is the pride of many Monarch butterfly lovers and the anticipated precious outcome of dedicated gardeners around the world.

It would be a loss to all of us if the growing butterfly failed to reach full maturation because the weather or soil conditions were poor and the chrysalis fell off, blew away, or rotted. Pesticides, improper sunlight, poor soil, and other unforeseen circumstances can prevent the chrysalis from surviving the seasonal maturation process. Without the proper conditions, it will fail to develop or will deteriorate away completely, and the cocoon is thus destroyed. The proper conditions are essential for a developing butterfly to make it through the season, taking into consideration poor weather and storms that may come along. A butterfly emerging from its cocoon is indeed a transformational message, a powerful one! Just as we humans, the need for the right climate and soil conditions, sunlight and rain are essential, or there will be no beautiful butterfly to grace the gardens of our family, friends, and neighbors. The climate must be right, the soil attended to, and the proper amount of rain and sunlight exposure to ensure a gorgeous butterfly graces the next season.

Are You Ready For A Transformation?

Is it the right time in your life when you are ready to spread your beautiful wings and fly away after surviving the warm nestling environment of your own private cocoon? Or are you still coming to full maturation during the latest growing season of change and decision-making? Are your wings prepared to fly after the latest metamorphosis, freeing you to leave your comfortable cocoon behind? Are you willing to spread your wings and give yourself the freedom to fly away to something new, even if it is a new attitude, recovering from a loss or illness, or something else?

I Hope So!

And you're not alone! We all face changes, and sometimes it is necessary to grow out of a comfortable warm cocoon, giving ourselves the freedom to fly to bigger and better fields and pastures. It could be a decision-making proposition, forgiving yourself, recovering from an illness, losing a loved one or dear friend, or facing a personal challenge. What do you feel needs some transformation in your own life? What troubles your heart or mind that you need the freedom to fly away from? Are you in need of a positive change or outcome?

If so, I wish you well on your flight should you decide to take it. Sometimes change can be intimidating or challenging, but I know you'll do well. You have strong wings, the right attitude, and the willingness to leave the cocoon. Bon Voyage friend, and have a good flight!