Last week we looked at how being safe prevents us from growing. This week I want us to look at growth and how we are NOT exactly like butterflies.
When you think about growth, development, and transformation you might think about caterpillars becoming butterflies. This is a metaphor that has been used over and over again in books, articles, and speeches about development and self-improvement. The symbolism is straight forward. A caterpillar enters its cocoon and then emerges, transformed into a beautiful butterfly.
It’s an interesting analogy, because it is a beautiful symbol of rebirth. At the same time, there are a three of things that make us very different from butterflies. First, caterpillars have to turn into butterflies as they grow. It’s in their DNA. Second, caterpillars have cocoons that separate and protect them from the outside world during their transformations. Finally, caterpillars only transform once, and we never stop transforming.
What does this have to do with us? Caterpillars don’t have a choice in what they become, but WE do. We have the ability to choose who we become and how we grow as people. We can choose which of our skills we want to work on sharpening and what we need to do to be the best versions of ourselves. As we think about the future, it is up to us to figure out what skills we will need and find ways to gather and enhance those skills. The other difference is that we don’t have cocoons. We don’t have something to sequester us from the world as we stumble and grow. We grow in the midst of a swirling and dynamic environment, and as we grow we expose a part of our weakness for others to see. It takes strength to be vulnerable like this. This is part of being human. The final difference is that unlike caterpillars we should never stop transforming. We are always learning new things and adapting. If you’re not adapting, you’re not growing.
The challenges: Do you know where and how you want to grow? Do you give others encouragement and show them understanding as they grow in the midst of a crazy world? Are you doing the right things to make sure you are always growing?
Have a jolly good day,
Andrew Embry
Striking Matches 