I've been watching the monarch caterpillars with a new level of fascination this year. They work so hard! From the moment they are born they eat and eat and grow SO fast. Then, one day they simply know they have eaten enough milkweed. That's it! And they turn and head down the milkweed plant in a hurry. They search out just the right place and get to work forming a chrysalis. WOW. Now talk about hard transformation. Click on the chrysalis photo to watch a video of this miraculous feat. The video is a little shaky as I stood crouched in the goldenrod to record the whole experience. While I watch I kept thinking about how much work this experience is for the Caterpillar. Even though they have the instinct and wisdom to know its time, even though they know just what to do, it is still hard. And as we watch them gracefully manifest in newness, let's acknowledge that even the most capable and graceful souls, full of confidence and faith, even they struggle with transformation. So often we express empathy and compassion for the troubles and trials of others. But our empathy and compassion can be used for celebration too. What a joy to watch such awesome, yet challenging, success.
With Love,
Sherene