The Butterfly

The Butterfly

 

Insignificant?  So it would seem.  But is it really?  It begins so basic and small.  How can something that appears to be nothing actually be the beginning of everything?  The foundation has been laid.  Whatever this eventually becomes will grow from this.  None grow at the exact same rate as another.  All are just a little different but have the same purpose.  It strives to become the best it can be.  This stage of life is so simple.  It is such a safe place to be.  Not much is expected of it.  As a matter of fact, most look right past it without even seeing it.  If only it could stay at this stage but it can not.  Change is near, whether it is ready or not.

 It starts absorbing its surroundings.  It feeds itself but it is also fed by those around it.  It takes it all in, the good and the bad.  It learns, it adjusts and it adapts.  It becomes what it is fed, shedding layers as it goes so it can continue to grow.  It needs love, caring and encouragement to mature.  If it does not receive the needed nourishment the growth will stop.  If it is constantly fed negative and hateful garbage, its full potential can not be met.  Sometimes it doesn’t even recognize what it has become.  Sometimes the change is so gradual it isn’t even noticed until it begins to harden.

 

It grows a hard protective shell.  Not only does this shell provide a barrier between it and the things that hurt it.  It stops it from sharing what it is with others.  It provides a camouflage to hide from others where they can’t see what it truly is.  It keeps it from being what it is meant to be.  But the shell also serves a very special purpose.  It is protection.  It keeps it safe during the transformation.  It provides a buffer from the angry, thoughtless actions of others.  It allows it time to become that beautiful creature it was intended to become.  Some might think this is the end of the journey.  But nothing could be further from the truth. 

The creature emerges from its protective shell.  But it is weak and frightened.  The changes have been made, now it just needs to grow stronger and more confident in its abilities.  It must practice over and over.  Each day it grows a little bit stronger.  Then one day it knows the time has come.  It is time for it to live the life it has fought for.  It is time to fully stretch its wings and take flight.  It is time for it to fulfill its dreams.

I am the butterfly.

 

 

Copyright 2013 by Betty Williams