Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis; we change, we develop, we change again, we search, we change, we pray, we talk, we change, we love, we grow, we live.  A small, white, oval egg is found on leaf, exposed to the elements of nature, it looks defenseless yet it clings onto the leaf; in approximately four days a caterpillar will emerge hungry for food.  The job of this tiny caterpillar is to eat and to grow. For two weeks this caterpillar will roam the earth eating every leafy green in its path for its nutrients promote growth. Unlike other creatures, the skin of a caterpillar does not expand rather in a short time, the skin is shed allowing for the caterpillar to grow. This process occurs four times in the brief life of a caterpillar. When the caterpillar has eaten enough the chrysalis is formed and for ten days this insect is nestled in yet the growth process continues and when ready a beautiful butterfly emerges ready to live life and flutter on it merry way. Our lives are much like that of the life cycle of a monarch butterfly as we, too, experience a metamorphosis.    Born completely free, innocent of societal pressures and norms we believe what we see, we know what we have been taught, we live what we have experienced.  Just as the tiny caterpillar munches on the leafy greens, we ingest every word spoken, every hug embraced, every lie told, every tear shed, every door slammed, every knee bent in prayer.  Life continues and we watch, we absorb life experiences though many never see us watching. As we mature, we question, some we vocalized, some lie in the silence of our hearts. It is here that we find answers, be them completely bogus or misguided or conversely enlightening and sculpting; they are answers that none the less shape our lives.  Like the caterpillar, we shed only it is not skin we shed, it is personalities. We toil with ways to better adapt to our surroundings for it is here that we want to please and become part of he popular crowd; thus shedding that which causes mockery and painful jest. This process continues and with it come stones of protection for the innocent child may not be hurt; thus the stones  are erected in an effort to dull the pain and bring happiness.  Before we know it a huge chrysalis is formed around us,  we can see out but no one can penetrate the walls of this chrysalis for they have become our protection.  Operating our lives from

this clear protective covering proves challenging but, we are strong, we are survivors, we need no one so

we independently find a way to make life work, we find happiness.  Looking at life through a clear, protective shell creates a wrapped sense of reality for the light into this chrysalis is refracted no reflected. It is with the bending of this light that we become complacent and duped for life is not being lived it is being masqueraded under false pretenses and guises which are mere fabrications of reality. Understanding, wisdom and faith penetrate this chrysalis thus enabling clarity. This certainty and Godly strength smolders within us and as we embrace these gifts they grow, they open our eyes to new gifts to God. It is with eyes wide that we begin to see life, we begin to experience life not in the seclusion of self, the seclusion of the chrysalis, though this still remains for a time. We now see that happiness is an illusion, that independence is synonymous with loneliness, that strength exists only in God, that life is meant to be shared not kept to ourselves. A metamorphosis occurs, our wings develop and we shed the last bit of protection for we no longer need to be protected.  As we emerge from the chrysalis life looks different, everything looks greener, things are brighter, our path clearer, the air soothes the jumpy nerves as we take flight for the first time.  Just as the butterfly flaps its wings and makes its momentous first flight, we too are empowered by God and friendship to take flight and live life. Our beauty is mesmerizing for we are love, we are truth, we are free to be, we are joy, we are peace for it has been lying within our souls

since birth; discovery has proven worthy as life now begins.