The lesson of a butterfly

Today I was looking into an old diary of mine and re-discovered this little story named  ‘the lesson  of a butterfly’.

One sunny day a man is sitting on a bench in a park.

He sits there staring at the soil and sees a cocoon.

Suddenly there is a movement and a tiny opening appears.

The man becomes interested and notices inside there is a butterfly struggling to open the cocoon.

Hour after hour passes by and all at once the movement stops. It seems like the butterfly is giving in. It seems like it cannot go on any longer.

The man decides to help the butterfly and opens up the cocoon some more.

Now the hole is large enough for the butterfly to come out. But it’s body is small and shriveled up; it’s wings rolled up.

The man keeps on looking as he expects the butterfly to become strong, to open up his wings and to support its body.

Nothing happens.

After a while the butterfly walks about, its body weak.  It does not take long and the movement stops; its life has gone.  

What the man with the best of his intentions did not realize was he stopped a natural process. The restriction of the cocoon and the fight of the butterfly were nature’s way of making sure liquid was pushed from the body to the wings. The butterfly needed the struggle to optimize its strength. It was nature’s way to activate the butterfly to become ready to fulfill its life to the fullest.

Like the butterfly we too need our own obstacles to test our strength.

We too need a chance to discover our possibilities to use our wings.

We too get opportunities to fly in victory.

Ten years have passed since I wrote in that diary. Looking back in time I can say life provided me with some obstacles and yes they did help me to become aware of my inner strength.

I do hope if obstacles come onto your path you decide to see them as opportunities too. Have a safe flight!