Sunday, July 15, 2018

Protection? or Prison?


I love the beauty of this little moth, but I must take a minute to think of  the changes it has gone through to bless the earth.

When hiking in the Tetons one afternoon, I watched a delicate blue moth, with hundreds of it's friends flit near a stream of water.

“I would like to be as carefree as you,” I said.
“I haven’t always been this way,” replied Blue. 
“It must have taken great energy for you to create the fragile, but durable chrysalis protection you lived in for a time in your early life.”
“The slumber was delicious,” said Blue, “and a much deserved rest after the energy it took to harbor myself.”
 “But, in the end, it must have been a struggle to break free of the protection you created for yourself,” I said.
“It had become a prison,” said Blue. “The twisting, and pressing to get free was a lot of work?
“You must feel very tired,” I suggested.
“Oh, but look what we’ve become,” said Blue. “The first time I took flight. Such a feeling of exhilaration!”
“What a sense of freedom,” I said.
“But I wouldn’t have appreciated it if I hadn’t known confinement first,” said Blue.
Tiny little Blue danced away. As I watched, I reflected on the parallel between Blue’s life and mine. How many times have I created a protection to shield me from harm—my shyness, my inability to listen to others, my self-centeredness, my lack of empathy. 
As I matured, my protection became a prison. I pushed against my protection, broke free,
and developed wings to fly. Now I enjoy the freedom I have found. Sometimes I slip back into my chrysalis, but I find my wings again rather quickly. Fly with me. Find your wings and come along. The journey is spectacular.

What protection have you created? Has it become a prison? Let go and enjoy the journey.






















1 comment:

  1. Oh, I did love this analogy and it is so true. We do need to break away from the protections we place around us and enjoy the journey.
    Thanks for these great thoughts. Sending loving thoughts and hugs!
    Maybe in the fall we can have a lunch moment!!

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