Be like an emerging butterfly

Think, for a moment, about an emerging butterfly. A butterfly renews itself many times as it changes from an egg to an adult. A metamorphosis, or transformation, takes place. Then, when its chrysalis finally cracks open, such incredible changes have occurred that a new creature seems to be born.

People sometimes go through a stage of life called cocooning where they actually rest, reflect on their lives, regenerate, and renew over time. It often begins with feelings of "trying to make sense of it all". This stage may be experienced after career burnouts, failures, tragedies involving grief or loss, or  realizing an ongoing dissatisfaction with life. Cocooning is a positive and necessary stage where, like a developing butterfly, a person experiences many small renewals. He or she discovers ways to find serenity and emerges back into life with a new sense of peace, purpose, or readiness to begin seeking a new direction.

When a butterfly completes its metamorphosis, and it is ready to emerge, it cracks the chrysalis by pumping fluid into its head and thorax. Then it actually forces its way out of its chrysalis with its legs. At this point, its skeleton is soft and capable of more expansion. If the butterfly is damaged at this stage, perhaps through confinement by a human, it will not be able to expand, resulting in a crippled butterfly.

This beautiful new creature is now free. However, it must wait patiently, undisturbed, with wings spread while they dry and harden. If it is evening, the butterfly will rest until morning before trying to fly.

In our lives, we all have times when we need renewal. We might go through times of turmoil and need peace of mind or serenity. Like a butterfly after its transformation, people can also become seemingly new creatures.

 One person may need a yearlong sabbatical to rest from a career or complete a goal. Another might need a week- long vacation. Another might need to "cocoon" for several years while many small renewals take place. At some point, the cocoon will no longer be able to contain the person, and he or she will need to break free, closing that stage of life with a forceful and purposeful push.

A satisfying and serene life is possible for us. However, we must have the patience to expand and the foresight to take flight when the time is right. If we  give ourselves that chance, the peace we seek will emerge, breathing new life into our spirits, bringing beautiful new creations--serenity's transformation.