There is a creature who has been an inspiration to me for many years. This creature has much to teach.
This is another one of my favorite teachings – of that of the butterfly. I would like to share my own take on this.
In the cocoon – a time of rest and transmutation
I find one of the main complaints people have is feeling stuck. There are times in my life when I feel as though I am going nowhere. I feel trapped in the dark and seem to have no means of breaking free.
So, how can getting stuck actually help in transformation? Hard to comprehend? It happens.
About three years ago I got laid off from the oil patch like tens of thousands of other people. I had no idea of what I wanted to do next. I spent months going over and over ideas of what my next step would be. I was stuck – major. No amount of pondering, asking friends for their input, or soul-searching seemed to help all that much.
I truly felt no one could help me. The worst part of it was, I felt others were judging me. I felt shame for not doing more.
I wanted to do something just to try to get out of this nothingness. Then, what I had tried didn’t really work. I felt more in the dark than ever. Time passed and nothing changed. I was getting desperate. I wanted to end this and come back into the light but just couldn’t seem to get there. Now all I felt I could do was wait … for what, I had no idea.
Inside the cocoon there is great metamorphosis going on in this seeming stillness. During this time I found all I could do was to surrender to the process.
A sliver of light cracks the darkness
The new butterfly has a strong urge to break out of the cocoon. Its transmutation at this stage is complete and it struggles to break out into the light.
I began to see what I really wanted to do. I had started a business that seemed to have failed but it ultimately led me to see my true passion. So, the business I had tried was not all a waste as I had thought. Part of the business was writing a blog. I realized this was what I most enjoyed and that I could write on a regular basis once I set my mind to it.
Breaking out – a vulnerable time
As the new butterfly outgrows its cocoon it is very vulnerable to predators. Its wings are not yet fully developed. The butterfly must stay put for a time to allow the wings to develop for flight.
When we start a new venture we can be vulnerable to naysayers, criticism, negativity, and even unsolicited advice. This is a time when even well-meaning people can think of all kinds of reasons why we can’t and shouldn’t do something. At this time we need to have faith that we will soon be ready to fly. In the meantime we need to continue to exercise our new wings and allow them to develop.
Taking flight
Feeling as though I have just begun to take flight I need to remain strong and confident. Just as the butterfly, I need to carry on with what I need to do and not be fearful of what could happen. I have a path to follow and I do not have time to worry about what others think. I have just begun to take writing more seriously and I am surprisingly not overly concerned with the judgements of others. My flight may be a little shaky right now but I have faith it will become smoother with time and practice.
Allowing lessons to unfold
We cannot allow others to interfere with our life lessons, nor can we interfere with someone else’s.
When the butterfly works to exit one stage of life it gains the strength to move into the next. No one else has any idea what we really need in order to grow and evolve. I believe the reason for living is flying. To fly is transmutation – to soar into higher states of being.
Whenever I get in a dark place I remember the cocoon. I know that one day I will struggle to gain the strength I need to evolve and fly. I know this can happen several times throughout my life.
Accept the battle as it is a crucial one that is necessary for your evolution.
Joyful journeying.
Julie A. Vermette 