I was reminded of this beautiful quote by Maya Angelou while painting some butterflies.
For a butterfly to be so beautiful, it had to go through an enduring process of transformation from a caterpillar. When we go through difficult situations, we can see them as opportunities to transform ourselves. These challenges make us stronger. We can emerge from the other side as a beautiful butterfly. This gives us the freedom to fly. It also teaches us that there is a right time for everything. We learn that we can’t force something to be before its time. If we were to cut open the cocoon and try to free the butterfly before it emerges on its own, it would not survive. Its wings wouldn’t be strong enough to enable it to fly.
“The caterpillar moves on the leaves and plants, hugging them and feeding on them. The butterfly hovers above it all and pollinates the flowers when it drinks the nectar. So also, the worldly person hugs and feeds on the things of the world, helpless and vulnerable like a caterpillar. After Spiritual transformation takes place, he is liberated; he moves free as the wind, untouched by the world, nourishing and sowing the seeds of spirituality in all those he happens to contact.”
Yours Forever: Life and Letters of Swami Chinmayananda
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