Allowing our life to unfold exactly as it is meant to and in the right time, isn’t always easy to accept.
We often believe we have a better plan and a quicker way to get to our destination. In doing so, we may miss wonderful opportunities to learn, grow and arrive prepared to receive all that we need.
Allow your life to unfold naturally
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.
Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther.
Then the man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening, were nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.
I love this story, because it reminds me to be patient and accept the natural timing of life. So often I have gone ahead in life, positive I know the direction and I try to push my plans along to get there quicker. This always ends in disappointment.
In situations that cause us discomfort, holding onto the belief that reality ‘should’ be different from how it is, will only cause us to experience suffering as well as pain.
To allow flow in our life, frees us from the pressure of trying to control things which are beyond our control. When we set goals and dreams for our life, remember to step back and to let-go of how and when they will happen.
In every aspect of our lives, letting go of rigid ideas and of how things should be, sets us free to find fulfillment in the endless choices and chances that life offers us. And that is why the butterfly is so free and so beautiful.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Love the story and your post. After losing my brother to suicide you realise there are many things you cannot control. I love the blue butterfly too because when my father left this earth I asked him to send me a blue butterfly when he is near. They come to me in many forms, like yours today is a reminder he is always with me. thanks for brightening my day.
Thankyou so much for sharing your story. I am sorry for your loss. I too love the symbolic and beauty of the butterfly and especially blue ones! I am glad this butterfly reminded you, you are never alone and that we all journey together in death and in life.
Beautifully put Karen. The story is powerful!
Thank you for this reminder on letting things unfold.
There’s something underneath that also resonates … our good intentions and “fixing” may cause harm.
Val x
Thanks Val. My fixing has always got me into trouble, so Im slowly learning to let go and allow and then it unfolds very nicely without me!
A very timely reminder for me Karen – thank you! Love that blue butterfly. ❤
Diana xo
Everytime I see a butterfly Diana I smile! Blue is my favourite too.
What a wonderful and meaning-filled story, Karen. And the reflection is spot on.
Struggling is important, because when it runs its course without impatient interference, we know we have achieved a new level-and was ready for it.
I
t is like prayer. We long for a quick answer that we seek. Yet, what we get is: either yes, no or wait. Each of the three is what is best for us-only in the case of the last, we will have to be patient(a valuable ingredient in struggle).
-Alan
Thankyou Alan. The answer I usually get is “wait”!! so I guess I have a few lessons to learn about patience.
Karen
This is just the story and writer’s reflections I appreciated reading today. Thank you, Karen, for your generosity and kindness, and your wisdom.
Thanks eM. This story resonated with me and I love the message behind it.
Very true, as all you write. I love Jung’s quote, he was such a great psychologist. I and would mirror the previous comment “Thank you, Karen, for your generosity and kindness, and your wisdom.” kind regards, F.
Thankyou for reading every post!