We are all changing every day, whether we know it or not. We can dread these changes and deny them, or we can accept these changes and bask in the glory of them. We can accept change and we can be willing to make a change for the beautiful. Instead of dreading change, we can welcome change. We don’t have to fear it. Change is natural, desirable, and is impossible to avoid anyway. So why not make the choice to change? When we make that positive choice, our intention of transformation is exciting. What enlightenment can we experience through our process of metamorphosis, and in transformation, what beautiful beings will we become?
Metamorphosis is a Greek word meaning “transformation or change of shape,” noting different stages of development in the life history of an organism. Consider the amazing change — complete metamorphosis — that the common caterpillar goes through in order to become a magnificent butterfly. A butterfly has humble beginnings, starting out as a tiny, fragile egg. From this tiny speck of a pearl hatches a caterpillar, whose sole purpose in life is to eat. To grow. To change. Increasing in size rapidly, it outgrows and sheds its skin several times. When fully grown, it transforms into a chrysalis, protected by its hard outer shell. It lingers in this stage of development from two weeks to two years, depending on the species of butterfly. Within the mundane-looking chrysalis, miraculous changes are occurring. Special cells that were already present in the caterpillar are now growing quickly. These cells become legs, eyes and wings. Finally, the chrysalis cracks and from it emerges a grand and glorious butterfly.
The caterpillar was patient, knowing it would one day be a butterfly. It did not yearn to be what it was not. It was not jealous of other butterflies. Restrained by its very, very slow movement, it could not travel far. Yet, it was not frustrated or restless. It did not long to fly away. The caterpillar was content in its steady but slow progress, confident that one day it would fulfill its destiny as a butterfly. Its sole purpose was only to nourish itself in order to grow. It did not worry, anxiously fearing it might not bud wings to fly. The caterpillar was naturally becoming what it would be: a beautiful butterfly.
A caterpillar is not envious or resentful of the butterfly, for it knows it will be a butterfly when its time has come. It is persistent in its growth and in its process of change. It does not doubt its future magnificence. The caterpillar does not feel inferior and insecure, anxiously awaiting its new form. The emerging butterfly is not any less beautiful for having spent time as a crawling creature. It does not regret, have remorse, shame or guilt for its time as a caterpillar. The butterfly does not question its ability to fly and its right to be what it has become.
Like the caterpillar, our purpose as humans is to learn, experience, grow and change. Perhaps we were slow learners, and perhaps we may have needed much experience to grow and transform. We may have remained in our caterpillar stage a very, very long time. But miraculous changes did occur! What was already within us allowed us to grow amazing, strong wings. I have confidence that we are all just butterflies in the making, some transforming quickly, some slowly. For today I am a butterfly. Metamorphosis has been completed. Having emerged from my chrysalis, I’m resting on a leaf, basking in the glory of my being and enjoying the warmth of the sun. My wings are still small and wet. I'm getting ready to fly freely. And as I fly, I’ll carry the message with me that unbeknownst to you, you are becoming a beautiful butterfly, too.
And when we become butterflies, we will fly with the gift of an enlightened point of view, and a higher perspective than we had when we were just humble caterpillars. For each day we are becoming more of who we are. We did not choose to be who we are; we are being who we were chosen to be. And today we are choosing to be the beautiful butterflies that we are becoming.
By V.C.
0 comentarii:
Trimiteţi un comentariu