Hi Reader,
I was folding laundry and listening to a podcast, and when I heard what I’m about to share with you, I stopped dead in my tracks and sat on the ground in awe. Not kidding.
It was a podcast about what happens to caterpillars once they’re in their cocoons.
(This was at least 10 years ago, but I remember this like it was yesterday!)
I know you might be thinking “Brenda. We learned about caterpillars in kindergarten 😑. Everyone knows about the metamorphosis cycle. Stop being a drama queen.”
First, drama is my middle name. Keeping it, thank you.
Second, that’s what I thought too! But here’s what they don’t mention in grade school about the metamorphosis process, and what stopped me in my tracks….
Goo.
If you open up a cocoon mid-cycle, that’s all you’ll find. Goo! There’s not a single hint of caterpillar OR butterfly. It’s just a little puddle of soon-to-be-butterfly-soup. Like…What!? 🤯
The second I heard this my mind went to two places:
- The miracle of it was mind-boggling.
- We. Are. The. Butterly!
God places little “hints” all around us as reminders. Butterfly-soup is one of the most incredible hints we could get.
We may not grow wings (dammit), but we all go through metamorphosis phases in life. And during a transformation things get….Gooey!
If your life feels uncertain, and you have “no clue” who you are or where your life is going….congratulations! You and your life are Transforming for the better.
Many times, a complete overhaul is in order. God can see this even when we can’t. And this might involve a demolition-style remodel of the whole thing.
If we had to demo our own lives, it’d never get done. So the universe steps in and rips the band-aid off for us. It’s uncomfortable, gooey, and even frightening! But it’s always for the best. The goo always becomes the butterfly.
So how do we get comfortable with the uncertainty and change? How do we embrace the goo?
Another hint from nature is how the caterpillar does things. She doesn’t struggle or fight to Transform. The whole process is smooth. She moves intuitively and deliberately across the sidewalks, grassy fields, and meadows to the branch she's drawn to.
This takes some work, sure. But it’s quiet work. It’s smooth work. She never doubts the natural unfolding of the process.
Can you imagine if the caterpillar asked questions like “How do I become a butterfly? Will I need to find a mentor? What are the supplies I need? Where do I even start?” Haha!
Lots of us stress about “how to become a butterfly”…whatever that means for you. In reality, you’re already in process. Everything is unfolding naturally, and you’re being guided through this journey called “life”.
Just keep showing up and listening to your intuition. Keep doing the quiet, smooth work. No need to struggle. No need to fear. Embrace the goo, and know it means things are going better than you could ever imagine.
If you want some more help with maneuvering through the goo, I made a Free class called The Life Makeover. In this Free 30 minute class, you’ll learn:
- How to connect with your Self (aka your soul!)
- The cure for “I don’t know what I want ITIS"
- The self-help trap that's keeping you stuck
- How to use mental dieting for Transformation
If you’re in the mood to improve your life for the better, this class is for you. And if you have a friend who needs a boost, share it with them too!
May your invisible wings carry you somewhere awesome this weekend. I’m off to the butterfly garden down the street (my happy place).
Love,
Brenda
P.S. Speaking of gooey, I'll be changing my YouTube channel name in the next few weeks from LeanSecrets to Brenda Turner! Make sure you click the "bell" icon in my channel to be notified when I post new videos!
