Living Whole: Caterpillars and Butterflies

by Maggie French

"It has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world."

There is so much insight we can gain from nature. Our challenge is to be open and aware to its lessons. Waves of air. Waves of water. All begin with transformation.

I came across an image of a Monarch butterfly with its wings spread open on a white flower, the proverbial representation of transformation and inspiration; a symbol of change, of freedom, of the Self reborn.

So what of the caterpillar? Is the caterpillar the unrealized Self of the butterfly? Is it undeveloped essence - something to "grow out of?"

The transformation of a butterfly begins inside then slowly radiates throughout its entire being, such that its outward physical presence is completely transmuted. It's a miraculous change – poetic. How ethereal this metamorphosis that we dare to dream for ourselves.

A caterpillar begins as all life does - a spark ignited by the energy of the Universe. It is born into this world clinging to the backside of a leaf. Its every sustenance is found in branches, leaves and bark as it moves through its world, safe and secure in the confines of what it has known since birth. It explores and grows where it is. Where it is going does not yet exist. The butterfly it is to become is an unknown future.

We, too, are unaware of the butterfly within that begins to change us on the inside. As with the caterpillar, our transformation is inevitable.

We are continually in a state of change. We may resist adaptation because we are uncertain where it will take us. We may view transformation as enlightening and empowering, or as diminishing and taking something familiar away. It is our choice how we exist in change.

The caterpillar begins its transformation by enveloping itself in a self-contained shell. Within the silky threads of its cocoon, it is more vulnerable than when it hid from birds and rodents in the tree, yet it trusts the Universe to protect it during its time of change. It exists only in the moment, knowing only its encasement, the Universe, the security of the tree branch . . . and it waits. This metamorphosis is its destiny.

In our greatest moments of change we, too, are detached from our perceived safety. How our transformation is perceived is what provides the subjective judgment of change being "good" or "a mistake." We can look back and make judgment on what we've become, or look forward and make a prediction about what we will become. To the caterpillar/butterfly the change is neither good nor bad. It simply is.

We are transforming every day, the essence of which occurs only in the moment. Like the butterfly emerging from a cocoon, we will know something is different but might not be able to articulate what that difference is.

The caterpillar begins its transformation by enveloping itself in a self-contained shell. Within the silky threads of its cocoon, it is more vulnerable than when it hid from birds and rodents in the tree, yet it trusts the Universe to protect it during its time of change. It exists only in the moment, knowing only its encasement, the Universe, the security of the tree branch . . . and it waits. This metamorphosis is its destiny.

In our greatest moments of change we, too, are detached from our perceived safety. How our transformation is perceived is what provides the subjective judgment of change being "good" or "a mistake." We can look back and make judgment on what we've become, or look forward and make a prediction about what we will become. To the caterpillar/butterfly the change is neither good nor bad. It simply is.

We are transforming every day, the essence of which occurs only in the moment. Like the butterfly emerging from a cocoon, we will know something is different but might not be able to articulate what that difference is.

All Photographs Courtesy of Maggie French

Maggie French is a certified, ICF-credentialed coach. She specializes in work/life coaching, because "If you want to makes improvements in one, there will be effects in the other."

Maggie collaborates with several organizations on the Cape including WE CAN, the Harwich Chamber of Commerce and the Cape Cod Chapter of ABWA.

Visit maggie's website: http://www.maggiefrenchcpc.com

You can reach Maggie at 774 212 1826
or email her at balance@maggiefrenchcp.com

What Is Your Question of Balance?

The concept of balance is simple, the way may be complex. Below is this month's guide to stability and calm

How often do you listen to your Inner Voice, truly listen? When your "gut" is telling you something, do you pay attention or go on hoping the feeling will go away. We are born with guiding intuition that helps us make choices that bring fulfillment to our living. We have only to practice listening. This issue's exercise helps you practice listening to your Inner Voice - see where it takes you.

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Practicing Fearless Action

Adapted from Rod Stryker's, "The Four Desires: Creating a Life of Purpose, Happiness, Prosperity and Freedom."

The directions for this exercise are very simple: dedicate four hours to constantly responding to your Inner Voice. As Mr. Stryker says, "This means saying yes to those things your Inner Voice says yes to, and no to those things your Inner Voice says no to."

During this time suspend questioning your Inner Voice. The practice of the four hours is not to deny what you hear. If it says turn off the distractions, you turn off the television, the radio, whatever is distracting you. If it says sit quiet, you sit quiet. If it says to be solicitous and patient with the people closest to you in your life, do it.

In listening to your Inner Voice, you do not have to worry about it leading you through a course of action that will be in opposition to your best interests or to the greater good. You are not responding to what you think you should be doing. You are not acting based on impulses conveyed to you from your rational and reactive mind, feelings, or emotions. Your intention in this exercise is to experience a sense of freedom in which your only allegiance is to your Inner Voice which is limitlessly wise and compassionate.

Again from Mr. Stryker, "please wait to do this exercise until you are confident that you are able to hear your Inner Voice. You need to be able to hear inner guidance without doing the meditation, because for the period of the exercise you are going to need to hear it continuously throughout the four hours, moment to moment. . . . It is important that you feel balanced both physically and mentally, have a degree of peace and serenity, and feel physically healthy . . ."

If, after four hours you find that you do not want to stop, you can extend it for as long as you like. Very likely you'll find it catapulting you to an entirely new way of being – freer, more powerful, more often in the right place at the right time.

Write about your experience. The following questions may help you reflect and get a clearer idea about your relationship to "knowing what to do" and "doing what you know."

• In what ways were the last four hours different?
• How completely did you listen?
• How well did you respond to inner guidance?
• How often did you listen to it and how often did you not?
• Where were the particular areas in your life where you felt stuck or less responsive to your inner guidance?
• What did you learn from the exercise?
• What did it tell you about the way you live or the way you would like to live?

A whole life is about finding your balance.

Living Whole Coaching's focus is to assist you in identifying what creates your stability. What do you value? What is your reason for being? What do you want to accomplish?

Living Whole Coaching has individual and workshop offerings for the exploration of the answers to these and other questions that will bring harmony into your living and the means to live whole.

Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation

A Complimentary Consultation is an opportunity for a 1-to-1 personal consultation to experience the power of coaching to bring personal growth and balance to your life.

Call 774 212 1826 or email Maggie to schedule a Complimentary Consultation today. Experience the Power of Coaching: http://www.maggiefrenchcpc.com