I know I promised that my next post would be about  ”More Veterans Stories”, but I have something that I would like to share.

Because of my love for Butterflies, I felt inspired to write this essay.  Hope you enjoy it.

A Butterfly Essay

I think that butterflies are truly one of the most extraordinary mysteries of nature. How could it be possible for a lowly little caterpillar to be transformed into such a beautiful creature – the butterfly?

 Butterflies are the symbol of hope, transformation, strength, beauty, faith, love, and trust and a perfect demonstration of God’s love for us. Here is this extraordinary little creature – with wings that appear to be as fragile as tissue paper. This magnificent creature that can fly thousands of miles in all kinds of weather and come to a destination where they know they are supposed to be. How is this possible? Scientists may explain this mystery – scientifically of course, but I believe there is a much deeper, meaningful story here. This is the story that I believe to be true:

 Butterflies are mysterious, magical, and extraordinary! They start out as a caterpillar, spin their cocoon, and emerge as a beautiful, magnificent butterfly. Are they afraid to leave their cocoon? It must seem so safe and comfortable there. When they emerge, what will they find? What will their life be like? They seem so fragile and yet they are so strong. They fly free and migrate for thousands of miles. How does a creature that appears to be so fragile, withstand all of the many things they must encounter in their flight to a far away land? Their strength, their courage, and their beauty is matchless.

 

Our lives are like that of the butterfly. We are born helpless little babies but we grow and are faced with so many, many challenges throughout our life here on earth. Do we strive to go back to the womb? Would we even consider that if it were possible? We are beautiful souls, each and every one of us and each time we face a challenge our “wings” become stronger and stronger. We can learn so very much from the Butterfly. That magnificent creature would never consider going back into that chrysalis and wrapping the cocoon tightly around those glorious butterfly wings. We were born to fly free and to soar. That is what life is about. Who of us would want to go back to being a caterpillar once we have become that butterfly? The challenges may be difficult, and can be very painful at times. Fear may take hold. But if we use that fear as a security blanket we will never realize the wonder of the ultimate joy we can achieve by using our wings to fly higher and higher and travel so very, very far.

 

Is it worth the struggle? I believe that it is, because without that struggle we would just remain in that chrysalis and never experience the true joy of being who we are meant to be. So, be that butterfly and when challenges come just spread those beautiful wings and fly free. We are meant to do so.’

 

 

©Copyright  – Sylvia Mallonee 2010