You’re trapped … it’s dark … you try to move but it feels like your arms are glued to your sides. Struggle, push, groan – it’s not working – you’ve been at this for days with no end in sight. That’s the plight of the caterpillar as well, just before he erupts into an amazing butterfly. Have you ever watched the forming of a chrysalis, a cocoon? It is a ton of work to make the cocoon and even more work to break out of it when the timing is right to test his wings. And, get this, if some helpful person comes along and in witnessing the struggle tries to help the butterfly emerge sooner than is time, the butterfly’s wings will be deformed and it will never fulfill its destiny.  It is in the struggle that the caterpillar is transformed allowing the emerging butterfly to become strong and soar.

The same is true of you. You need those struggles to make you stronger and to shape the person you are meant to be. No one ever said life is easy – or fair for that matter. But the struggle is invigorating and forces you to find a new way to look at life – accomplish more – redesign your thinking. Everything that you think on either drives your forward or holds you back.  So how do you think about this struggle of yours? I ask that you embrace it with anticipation of who you are becoming:

• Let this time be one of quiet expectation of good, of transformation, of learning.

• Love your struggle and let the energy of movement expand your boundaries of thought and achievement.

• Remember that even in the midst of struggle there are beautiful moments to savor.

And when you are free of your cocoon, spread your wings and fly because the wise and wonderful Dr. Seuss tells you:

“You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.

                You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.

                Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best.

                Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.”

Bon Voyage!