Becoming a Butterfly We all learn at a very early age that change is a huge and inevitable part of life and growing. Everything and everyone changes and goes through changes in every aspect all throughout life. Change is a part of and involved in every aspect of nature and life. In fact it has been said that the idea of change or things changing is the one thing you can count on and it is consistent that there will be change. As soon as we are born we start the process of changing constantly and continually so it is true of nature, all creatures and much of life. We all change in every stage, phase and season of life. The seasons themselves are a great example of change. I would argue and contend that the concept and idea of this truth and reality is nowhere more evident than it is in the season and process of navigating grief and loss and what one goes through and the changes that one undergoes and endures as they navigate their journey of grief and loss. There is a term, principle, concept and idea in science, specifically in biology, called metamorphosis. Which is defined as a complete change of form, structure or substance as transformation or any complete change in appearance, character or circumstances. Another way of explaining or saying this is that it’s a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism. A great example from nature is that of the butterfly and the process of change which a butterfly undergoes from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly. A process of change such as metamorphosis involves patience, potential for growth and change and much transformation. The journey and process of achieving transcendence or transformation which gives hope takes resiliency, perseverance and endurance. This is also equally true of what is needed for you and others who now find themselves navigating through this season of grief and loss and to be equipped and empowered to go from surviving to thriving as they continue to travel their journey. As I was writing the books in the ‘Finding Grace through Grief’ series and creating this material for the study and course; I remember thinking what would be good for the cover design. I remember the first things that came to mind were the colors of purple and aqua blue or turquoise or teal and the idea of a butterfly. I thought and feel this is perfect for what is discussed in this series and study and moreover for being a great illustration and depiction of what it is to go through the grief process working and striving to come out on the other side of this season thriving in life. I went and searched for the meaning of the symbolism of a butterfly. Butterflies are universally considered to have profound symbolism involving immense life change, personal growth, transformation, freedom, and rebirth. Furthermore,in multiple cultures the process of metamorphosis that is undergone for a caterpillar in becoming a butterfly symbolizes the soul’s journey and it embodies the idea of transcending the physical realm and reaching a state of enlightenment. This transformative process mirrors the journey humans undergo during personal growth and development, making the butterfly a potent symbol for change, rebirth, and spiritual evolution. Looking at the context of what the butterfly symbolizes in Christianity is the representation of resurrection. Also, butterflies are associated with spiritual transformation. Like Jesus emerged from the tomb after 3 days, a butterfly emerges from the chrysalis after a type of metamorphic death. The three stages of a butterfly’s life can be viewed as metaphors for life, death, and resurrection. The caterpillar represents life, the cocoon signifies death or a transition phase, and the emerging butterfly symbolizes resurrection or new life. The understanding of the symbolism that butterflies represent gives evidence to the profound meaning of the butterfly and also how it can relate to the journey one travels through grief and loss. I would like to think that the parallel is this; before one experiences and knows grief and loss we are caterpillars. Then through the journey of grief and loss we feel as if we have gone into a cocoon while we learn how to navigate through the profoundly life altering process of grief and loss. We can learn to embrace grace through our process of discovering the five keys of ‘Finding Grace Through Grief’ such as gaining your grounding, defining and having direction again, and being equipped with nuggets of wisdom, new truths and learned lessons. Then the hope is that we can emerge from our cocoon of grief transformed into graceful, beautiful butterflies equipped, empowered and ready to thrive and continue to live life and travel this journey we are on as newly enlightened travelers.
