The Life Lesson A Butterfly Can Teach Us

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”~

With the arrival of spring just a week away, I can feel nature’s miracles and the new life that is ahead for so many beings on this magnificent planet of ours. I spent some time reading on my patio last week here in South Florida, and I witnessed one breathtaking example: the butterfly.

Butterflies are simply gorgeous. To be in their presence is an honor. For me, they symbolize hope, strength, and love. Like all things in nature, the butterfly has many lessons to share with us. Let’s take a look at one that really stands out: the importance of being who we are.

Imagine the grand metamorphosis of the butterfly. Let’s relate the stages of this experience to the various aspects of our lives: first the tiny egg of potential, then the tireless caterpillar working toward that potential, then the chrysalis allowing that potential to take shape, and finally the butterfly who realizes that potential and takes flight.

The butterfly teaches us that it is not possible to go from egg to butterfly without the stages in between. And in our lives we cannot go from birth to death without the journey. So like the caterpillar, we must do the work. George Carlin once joked, “The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity.” This is so true! We often admire the beauty of the butterfly and rarely think about what it went through to get where it is! So it is for all of us that we must have a grand ideal for our lives and walk the path, putting one foot in front of the other.

Many people ask me, “How do I know what my life purpose is?” My answer is this: we sit with ourselves in silence and just listen. In this sitting, we place our attention within on the breath and drop our attention into our heart. By spending time each day listening to our heart’s whisperings, our life’s work takes shape, and we begin the journey—strong, loving, and connected within.

I founded the non-profit Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life as a result of my meditation practice. About eight years ago, I heard my heart say, “You are meant to bring love and peace to every being in the world.” Just how could I say no?

I promise that as you spend time with you every day, you will come to know exactly what you came to this life to do. Like the butterfly, you will experience the magnificence of being who you are!

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By Barb Schmidt: Barb Schmidt is an international best-selling author, businesswoman, philanthropist, and spiritual teacher with over thirty years devoted to spiritual development and research.

Compiled, edited and adapted by Khalid Latif.www.thekhalids.org

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