Change Can Be Beautiful: Advice from a Butterfly 🐾

Ok, I have a confession to make. I am obsessed with the somewhat silly non-scientific personality tests that tell me what color or Disney character I am most like. Everyone has their vices people? I know you may think I’m crazy, but before you give up on this post to answer emails, know that I use them as entertainment, not to base my life on. However, on occasion, one will ring true. Such is the case with any of the What is my Spirit Animal? tests. Each and every test I take, no matter the source, tells me the same thing – that my Spirit animal is the butterfly.

I believe it and here’s why.

When you see a butterfly, it means that something new and amazing is about to occur. I frequently see butterflies.

A butterfly begins its life growing from an egg into a caterpillar, increasing up to 100 times its original size in just a few weeks. This increases its strength and ability to survive the next stage of its life and shows us that it’s important to prepare as much as possible for the challenges ahead. I used to not prepare, and I would be thrown into turmoil at the thought of things not going as planned. However, now I know better. I live my life both personally and professionally preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. This doesn’t at all mean that I’m negative about any situation whatsoever, it just means that I am ready for almost anything, not everything. But, if the path changes, I can confidently adjust as needed and handle it. I become a damsel not in distress.

The butterfly then forms a chrysalis at which point it will spend months to years looking calm on the outside, but on the inside, a frenzy of activity is occurring that will result in radical change. This shows us that it’s perfectly fine to take time and space to do what we need to do to grow mentally and physically, to take time to work hard, and then to reflect on what has been and what is to come. Before we rebuild, we need to first break down our old habits and our ways of thinking that may prevent us from moving forward. It took me 11 years of time and space and a roller coaster ride of self-discovery to “radically change” and grow, to accept who I am, and to be proud of it.

The butterfly then endures the difficult and dangerous process of emerging, takes a short time to process what had just happened, and then moves on to achieve its goals – find food, find shelter, and find a mate to enable its species to continue – and do it all in its short life span of usually 1-2 weeks. This shows us that having the confidence to take risks, meet others and face challenges is necessary to reach our fullest potential. If I did not go through the adversity that I did, I would not know the strength and value that I have.

And like the butterfly, I still keep growing, changing and transforming. But now I know that:

• Change is not easy, as a matter of fact, it can be downright painful.

• Change is a process that begins with breaking old habits.

• Change is inevitable, but if we take time and space, it can be beautiful.

Try following the advice of our Lepidotera friends, embrace change, spread your wings and soar to your greatest heights. I can tell you firsthand, it feels amazing! Let me know how it works out.

PS- Fun Facts:

• A butterfly cannot fly properly when it loses its antennae. The Butterfly Spirit Animal says you need to keep tuned into your higher self – your morals, values, and who you are – so that you don’t lose your ability to soar. Self-care matters!

• When you see a white butterfly, like the one in this week’s image, a guardian angel may be watching over you and bringing you luck.

#thewhinebar #felinefinefriday #ifanimalscouldtalk #selfcare #theallybrown #writingforhumanity #blastradiusbookbyally