Just when the caterpillar thought it was over....
Sometimes in life, things get dark. Sometimes they feel like the end of the world. Sometimes everything we have ever known goes up in smoke. What do we do then? What choice do we have except to let go. Let go of what was. Let go of our preconceived notions. Let go of how things were and how we thought they were going to be going forward.
Man that is scary.
To let go of the structure, the order, the balance that gave your life a predictable rhythm and pattern. It can be a scary, dark, place. It can feel like the world is crashing in around you and the rug has been swept out from underneath you.
Did you know that in order for a caterpillar to turn into a butterfly, first it digests itself releasing enzymes to dissolve all of its tissues. In fact, if you were to open a cocoon at the right time, caterpillar soup would fall out. Yes, you read that right, IT DIGESTS ITSELF! At one point it becomes soup.....a stone's throw away from nothingness.
Doesn't grief feel that way at times? Like we have been dissolved? That someone could come along and poke us the right spot and all our soup would spill out on the floor? Maybe they don't even need to poke, perhaps our soup is spilling out everywhere we go. In our conversations, in our countenance, in our relationships.
What if.....just what if, that dark scary place you are living in is a cocoon? What if it is providing you a protected place to shed off what was in order to properly form what will be? And what if the thing that will be is beautiful? What if it looks nothing like what you used to be but is beautiful, nonetheless. Caterpillars walk on the ground, butterflies fly. Caterpillars are green and hairy, butterflies are multicolored and elegant. Caterpillars stay in a small area, butterflies move from place to place.
Can you entertain the idea that different doesn't mean worse?
That even if you lost something near and dear to you, it could be providing the right environment for you to become your best version yet. That this season of grief could be making room and making way for a season of adventure and joy. This does not mean that the process is painless, or that you won't continue to miss what was, but that you can open your heart and mind to the possibility of brighter days ahead. To decide that you refuse to cut corners on the cocoon experience because you know on the other side, there is a beautiful butterfly that is going to bring beauty and elegance into the world in a way that no caterpillar ever could.
To all you caterpillars, I see you. I know it's scary and dark and lonely. I know you can't yet see the end from where you are and you're not sure you can make it to the other side. Stay put. Trust the process. Lean into it and trust that this season is doing it’s work. I celebrate your progress.
To all the butterflies, I see you. I know the price you paid of your becoming and I celebrate your success.
Whether your caterpillar or butterfly, if you’re looking for community to cheer you on in your journey, join us!
Until next time....
Much Love,
Kelli