I forgot to post here that I uploaded another YouTube video last Wednesday, New Year Day. Here is the link! ❤
growth
You’re Just in Your Cocoon
I once read a quote about the importance of knowing the difference in pace & place. I’ve also come across a few quotes about butterflies in my day. I’d like to make a comparison using these concepts. As always, I would like to remind you to remember that life is a journey. You are never going to live in the same moment or place forever, at least not until you die. Therefore, the place you are at is irrelevant. But, I have decided so is the pace at which you travel. You see, as the analogy goes, the caterpillar does not know he is about to become a beautiful butterfly. He knows no end after the cocoon, for all he knows it is death. The realization of what he will become is lost on him as he is transforming.
So have no fear if you are still in your cocoon so to speak. You are still transforming. You are constantly learning, growing & changing whether you realize it or not. Think about it, when you see someone daily, you do not notice how they change as drastically as you would if you went a decade without seeing them & they have suddenly lost or gained 50 pounds, gotten gray hair, grown a beard, cut their hair, etc. So you may not see the changes in yourself. For after all, you live with yourself 24/7.
Everyone is in a different place in life. Some are still caterpillars on the ground, others are tucked away tightly in their cocoons, & yet there are those who have already become beautiful butterflies. Chances are, you won’t know where on your journey you are. So stop comparing yourself with others! Live your own life. & do not worry about the pace at which you are transforming. Everyones’ path is different, & people will spend different amounts of time in each stage of life. Do not stress over where you are at. If you aren’t where you want to be, be patient & continue to strive for improvement. Eventually you will emerge from your cocoon. Just keep in mind that even though you aren’t aware of the changes you are undergoing, they are occurring. There is a plan in place & constantly at work. No stage is unimportant & you are simply preparing for who you are to become. Also know that the struggle to be freed of the cocoon is going to be tough. This is also vital. A butterfly must work hard to break out of its cocoon, as this strengthens its wings. Without this effort the butterfly will be too weak to fly. So do not fear the struggle. Embrace it knowing that it is only making your wings stronger to soar away with in the future. Trust your path. Trust the time the road to maturity requires.
Do not stress over where you are on your journey, or your “place.” & do not rush the “pace.” Growing takes time & preparation. Do not look at the butterflies in the sky & cry for not being able to fly. Do not look at the caterpillars on the ground & frown that they are dragging everyone down. Everyone, just like you, is growing & changing at their own speed, in their own way, from their own trials & tribulations. All of this is necessary to maintain balance. Trust the cycle. ❤
What’s Inside is WHO YOU ARE
I heard a speech from one of my favorite baseball coaches last night & it really stuck with me, so I’d like to paraphrase what was said. Short version: “When you squeeze an orange, juice comes out. What’s inside of you? When life squeezes you what comes out? Because what’s inside you is who you are. & when you’re juiceful, you’re useful!”
Think of yourself as fruit, growing on a tree. As each day passes you are maturing, ripening. Everything you encounter grows into your being. The way you treat your body, how you nourish it affects the flavor of the fruit within. So, fertilize yourself with positivity; surround yourself with those who encourage personal development & empower you. Read books, learn new skills, talk to strangers, but whatever you do, push yourself! Never become content with your size or growth, there is always room for improvement. Cliché but true.
It is true that what’s inside is who you are. Our outsides often become tainted by negative circumstances. You may suffer a metaphorical freeze or get blown from the tree & hit the ground becoming bruised. Our outward appearance doesn’t often reflect what is within. It can appear scarred & haggard due to abuse or neglect. But just because a person has a skinned knee, does not mean the blood flowing through their veins is ruined or toxic. Our outsides are sensitive to our surroundings. They may appear weak or hardened to protect us. This is a façade. The inside remains the same. We are who we are within.
Life is going to squeeze you, contort you, twist you, grind you up & spit you out. But what exudes from this compressed corpse is WHO YOU ARE. So, who are you? & is that who you want to be? If not, who do you want to be? Work to become that person. You are the fruit, but you are also the farmer. You must put in the work to mold & maintain the maturation of what is inside. Don’t be rotted, smelly juice; strive to provide the best product you can!
Kimily24 