For some reason that thought brought to mind caterpillars and butterflies, maybe because their life cycle is so full of transformations. This photo is of an Eastern ten caterpillar. I had no idea how striking this caterpillar was until I looked more closely through the lens. These are the guys that hatch in the spring and weave those silky bag tents in the crotch of tree limbs. Stephen Lyn Bales, naturalist and author, refers to the tent caterpillar as “bird fodder”.
Our transformations are barely noticeable at first but not necessarily less dramatic. At some point, when all the tiny changes link together, we begin to shout change--changes in choices like friends and clothes, changes in laughter and attitude, changes in what we like to do, the way we walk and even where we like to walk.
Bringing our two worlds together frees up creative energy and when that happens, anything can happen.
I have never seen anything like those tents made by the caterpillars! Just incredible :-)
ReplyDeleteSo agree with your sentiments too (as usual). I have found, in the last couple of years since I moved to thsi side of the country, that making internal and external choices in parallel supported the transition in both.
I moved over here so I could be (amongst other things) "free to be me". I have surrounded myself in natural beauty. I have found the best friends. I have found the best house. I celebrate the change with dance most every day. I paint. I make chocies that honor me. I changed my name to reflect all of the new choices.
I think it would have been a lot harder to do if I was just making internal OR external changes :-)
For the longest time I was stuck in the outer world silently dying on the inside conforming to doing whatI thought I was suppose to do. It wasn't until I opened my mind and started looking within that I began to feel at peace.
ReplyDeleteYour words are very inspiring.
Hi Mountaingirl,
ReplyDeleteThese transitions are so important. They are part of our life journey. It takes a while to figure out that we're uncomfortable. Making life changes that reflect who we are inside always leads to more creativity and contentment.
Indigo-daisy,
ReplyDeleteI've been there too. Comformity and fitting in are natural adaptations while we are learning to get along in this world. But at some point we always clash with the world. And that is when the flower blooms and we begin to discover who we are.