This week, I’m setting out for six fabulous days with a dear girlfriend whose hospitality is truly out of this world. I make it a point to visit her every six months because these trips are more than just a getaway—they’re a much-needed experience of renewal. Her home offers me a different perspective, a slice of beach time, sunshine, and most importantly, the stillness in her energy that is both calming and inspiring. We spend our days working independently, each immersed in our own worlds, but in the evenings, we relax together, basking in the simplicity of shared silence and the profound conversations that often follow. These trips remind me of the importance of taking time for myself, to reset and reflect, to prepare for what lies ahead.
At home, my husband has a unique hobby—he raises monarch butterflies. These intricate insects are nothing short of majestic, and over the years, we’ve come to joke that he now has a “monarch ministry.” But in truth, watching these butterflies emerge from their chrysalis and then releasing them into the world is a deeply symbolic and spiritual experience.
There’s something profoundly moving about witnessing a caterpillar transform into a butterfly. It’s a reminder that life is full of phases—some more visible and celebrated than others. My husband has been known to gift these delicate chrysalises to people during their most significant life moments, and there’s something so beautiful about that gesture—about giving someone a symbol of transformation just when they might need it most. (Great example here…read what she wrote. Get out the tissues.)
Recently, he asked me to keep an eye on a few caterpillars entering their chrysalis phase, and it got me thinking. We often focus so much on the butterfly, on the final, glorious result of transformation. But there’s a deep wisdom in the caterpillar as it prepares for this change. The chrysalis phase is not just about becoming a butterfly; it’s about the process of becoming. It’s a state of rest, reflection, and preparation for things that the caterpillar can’t even begin to imagine, yet she instinctively knows they will be extraordinary.
This phase of stillness and preparation is essential for her greatness. The caterpillar spends so much time eating and nourishing herself and then she spins herself into a beautiful, iridescent cocoon. She isn’t working herself to exhaustion once she is in that chrysalis—she’s resting. And isn’t that something we all need to learn? In a world that often glorifies busyness and exhaustion as status symbols, the caterpillar teaches us that rest is not just important; it’s a vital part of the process.
So, as I prepare to step away for a few days, I find myself entering my own chrysalis phase. I’m allowing myself the time to rest, reflect, and prepare for whatever comes next. When I return, I hope to emerge renewed, ready to flutter through whatever life has in store for me.
Find me in my chrysalis, embracing the stillness, and watch me flutter when I return. 🦋
