Delta Kappa Gamma – Author Becky Johnen (2024)

My inspiration for this week’s blog comes from many of my friends who are teachers. I ended a note to one with, “Stay safe and well…and hang in there. I know teaching during this pandemic has been challenging.” She responded, “Teaching at the moment is an extra challenge for sure.”

Recognizing that classroom teachers and administrators were facing extra challenges during the pandemic, my local chapter (Alpha Beta) of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG – a professional honorary Society of women educators) located in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, conducted a project called Each One, Reach One. From September 2020 through March 2021, members retired from the field anonymously sent notes, cards, and small gifts to our members still actively teaching or serving as school administrators. At a recent meeting, a reveal was done and the active teachers got to meet their “caring DKG sister.”

One active teacher sent me a note that said, “Thanks so much for the encouragement. It has been a struggle this year but many blessings too!” I love that amid all the non-stop craziness, struggles, and challenges that she was also able to see the blessings.

Her mention of the year also holding many blessings reminded me of something Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde said, “What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.” Life during the pandemic has certainly been a “bitter trial.” The pandemic created what I call seismic change for all of us; change that rocked many of us to our core. Much seemed lost such as our loved ones; jobs; our way of life; the familiar, sameness, the comfortable; tradition; our comfort zone, our sense of security; our sense of purpose and perhaps even direction; control, space, power, social/role identity, or influence. But, once we look beyond what has changed, we might be able to see the blessing(s) that the change holds.

This week, let’s take a look at 10 things we can do to put us in position to see the blessings, the opportunities that might be hidden in challenges and struggles. We can:

Think like a winner. Believing that we can overcome anything is half the battle. Have confidence. Steer clear from doubts because they will only immobilize any effort. Self-doubts also turn attention away from solutions and keep the attention on whatever the issue is. The calmer one can be, the clearer the mind and the better one is able to think divergently and creatively about the issue(s). Winners don’t quit; they rise above to meet the challenge head on.

Have an optimistic outlook. We find what we look for. If we look for the positive, the good, that is what we will find. If we look for the negative, the bad, that is what we will find.

See the positive in life’s events. Every situation that is challenging does offer us a learning opportunity. Every situation that is challenging provides us a blesson (a blessing with the lesson). Every situation that is challenging seems to test our strength and patience but it also shows us just how strong and how much we really can endure.

Reframe our thoughts. There is a positive aspect in everything; we just have to look for it. Abraham Lincoln (American politician and lawyer who served as the 16th President of the United States) said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” We can see roses in the midst of thorns if we reframe how we look at things.

Have an attitude of gratitude for what we do have. Instead of focusing on what is wrong or what is lacking, we can be grateful for what we do have in the moment.

Concentrate on positive self-talk. We need to replace negative thoughts and words with positive ones, words that make us feel happy and in control. Concentrate on positive thoughts with positive results.

Change our mindset. Instead of thinking ‘oh no; I can’t deal with this’ try ‘how can I get to the heart of the matter and move beyond this?’

Take an emotional “time out.” When we face a challenge, it is common to get flustered and react in an emotional way. This type of reaction isn’t usually productive. It may be cathartic, but it isn’t going to make the challenge any easier. When facing challenges, we must begin to look at it with our logic and reason lenses. This will help identify the relevance of the challenge and the means by which to respond to it.

Be action oriented. Challenges can overwhelm us. Challenges within change can stop us in our track; paralyze us. This is the time to take a deep breath and step into action. Focus on the following: Just what is the challenge? The circ*mstance? Can I handle it; control it? What parts can’t I control? How do I gain the upper hand with this? How can I influence this circ*mstance? What resources do I need?

Reach out to help someone else who may be struggling with something. When we can reach out and support, show kindness, empathize with others, or commiserate, it helps us put/keep things in perspective and helps us find good and see good in the situation.

We all have the ability to see the blessings within a struggle or a challenge. As French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre reminds us, “What is important is not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens to us.” The events that are external to us are beyond our control. We had no control over the virus that led to the pandemic. But, we did and do have control over how we choose to respond to all the changes brought about by the pandemic. And those responses determine what happens to us.

We can choose to allow the circ*mstance to paralyze us. We can hole up somewhere and do absolutely nothing. We can choose to allow the circ*mstances to get us down, blanketing us in negative emotions (sadness, anger, fear, etc.) and turning us into unhappy people. Or, we can choose to respond in a way that seeks to understand, puts and keeps things in perspective, is helpful and purposeful, or moves us forward. If we do this, we will be much more satisfied with life, better able to deal with and handle what comes our way, less stressed, and find more joy and happiness in life. We will most certainly be able to see the blessings amid the challenge, the struggle. And when we do, latch on to those blessings and make something positive happen.

I want to give a shout out to The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (a professional international honor society of key women educators that promotes the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education). I recently attended a meeting of the Alpha Beta Chapter of the Pennsylvania (USA) State Organization. Before the president began the business meeting, she shared a reflection, an inspirational reading, titled Parable of the Pencil. The message in this parable was so good that I wanted to share it with you and relate it to our life journey. The story is in italics and my thoughts related to our life journey are in a bold, regular font.

Part I. The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.

“There are five things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

One : “You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone’s hand.”

Two : “You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.”

Three : “You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.”

Four : “The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.”

And Five : “On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.”

The pencil understood and promised to remember and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Part II. Put yourself in the place of the pencil as you read the following section. If you remember these five things and make them a part of your life, you will become the best person you can be.

One : “You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be ‘held in someone’s hand’ where the many gifts you possess can be put to good use. When life is synergistic, it becomes valued added. When we share our skills, abilities, and talents with others the result is far greater and better than that which would have happened if done individually.

Two : “You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.” We learn and grow from all that happens to us, but the lessons that remain with us are those gained from overcoming challenges. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our situation; we just have to look for the good, the positive in what might be the painful for us.

Three : “You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.” We need to view mistakes as ‘gifts of learning.’ Mistakes are learning opportunities; they teach us. They are nothing more than an adjustment to the original plan. When we look for the lesson in what happened we are able to put things in perspective and work harder to find a solution that moves us forward.

Four : “The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.” It is important to remember that in life, things happen around us and things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us. How we choose to respond and what we make out of the situations we encounter are what truly matters. We must stay true to our values and beliefs especially when making decisions.

And Five : “On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.” We need to know what we want out of life; know where we are going. We need to stay true to our vision. And, we must always move forward.

Our life journey is one of give and take; of ups and downs; of enjoyable and challenging moments. Like the pencil, we all have what we need to make it through any situation we encounter; we all have what we need to make our mark on life. If we remember to work with others, work through painful and challenging situations, view mistakes as learning opportunities, respond rather than react and stay true to our values, and always move forward, we will lead a full and rich life fulfilling our purpose and being the best we can be.

This past weekend I presented a session at the Pennsylvania State Delta Kappa Gamma Convention titled Get Your Giggle Going. The session was very well received and I wanted to share some highlights of the session with you especially since giggling and laughing are ways to help deal with change-related stress.

Giggling is a form of laughter and laughter is an involuntary reaction to something one finds humorous (stories, jokes, thoughts)or to something physical, such as being tickled. Both are visual expressions of positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and relief.

Giggling or laughter is a strategy for dealing with change because changes and transitions do create tension and stress in our lives that if not relieved can have detrimental effects on us. In past posts, we have talked about change moving us away from our comfort zone. When this happens, we can feel threatened and the balance in our life is now out of sync. Stress and tension are normal responses to this. We have also talked about transitions which are the emotional or psychological component of the change process. Internal stressors associated with transitions can be the inability to accept the uncertainty of the change, unrealistic expectations with regard to the change, negative self-talk, and being pessimistic.

Giggling is a strategy that helps counteract the effects stress and tension has on our bodies. According to Mayo Clinic Staff, in addition to making life more enjoyable in general, giggling or laugher has been proven to be beneficial for one’s health. Laughter creates physical changes in one’s body such as:

1. Enhancing the intake of oxygen-rich air which stimulates one’s heart, lungs, and muscles. In addition, it increases the endorphins that are released by the brain.
2. Producing a good, relaxed feeling in the body by relieving one’s stress response.
3. Stimulating circulation and aiding muscle relaxation which help reduce some physical symptoms of stress.
4. Improving one’s immune system through the release of neuropeptides that help fight stress as a result of the positive thoughts/laughter.
5. Relieving pain by causing the body to produce natural painkillers (endorphins).

Laugher also has mental health, social, and cognitive benefits. A few mental health examples include: increases hope, optimism, energy, and vigor; improves mood and feelings of well- being; adds joy and zest to life. Socially, laughter helps us strengthen relationships, helps defuse conflict, promotes group bonding, and increases friendliness. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain, increases creativity, and improves problem-solving ability all of which aid us cognitively.

How else can giggling help in dealing with change? Giggling and laughter give one the courage and strength to find sources of meaning and hope in the changed “environment.” Feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness aren’t making appearances when one is laughing. As a result, one is able to stay more focused on dealing with the change and perhaps view the situation or issue more realistically. Sensations of threat that result from being ousted from the comfort zone can be diminished through laughter. A phrase from a perpetual calendar sums up the importance of laughter: If you truly want to improve your life, laugh at least once more today than yesterday.

My friends were able to put this strategy to the test while on a trip to New Orleans to watch their beloved Oklahoma State University Cowboys play in the Sugar Bowl. My friend writes, “M goes online, orders tickets and makes hotel reservations. The hotel wasn’t too far from the stadium and the room price seemed really good for being in The Big Easy over the New Year’s holiday.”

“So things go well on our trip to town. We get to the hotel while it was daylight and had no problems finding it. We pulled into the roundabout and M goes to check us in. Well that’s when things start to get interesting. One of the perks was free parking. Well that’s true enough except the parking in the lot is very limited and on a first come, first serve basis. I walk around to the parking lot and there is one little itty bitty spot. I am thinking we can squeeze in but there is one problem – we are blocked in and can’t move our car. We ask the guy blocking us if he can move and although he is very polite he is in no hurry to move. In the meantime M comes back and tells me our room is on the 4th floor and the elevator is broken. Again that is not a big problem for young healthy people but with M’s health, several trips up and down four flights of stairs is not in his best interest.”

“So in the meantime we have befriended the shuttle driver Mike. He is telling us he can take us to the stadium tomorrow night for the game and pick us up. So he says that we can have his parking place out front. We give him a tip and get his card so we can call him tomorrow.”

“We make it up to our room. Me huffing and puffing from too much holiday eating and too little exercise. Well the room is big but quite old. That was the first thing I noticed when we pulled up. It was a very pretty hotel but one that definitely had seen better days. The hallways weren’t very clean but the room looked clean enough although a little run down. I said as long as there are no bed bugs we will be ok.”

“The Orange Bowl is on and OU is playing so we decide to watch the game for a while before we go out for dinner. M turns on the heat which I promptly turn off because it is blowing cold air. He fiddles with it awhile and decides that it’s not working. The window is also rattling and when he checks it out he says the window looks like it’s about ready to fall out.”

“OU is now losing so we decide it’s a good time to go downstairs and mention the heat issues with the staff. We would have called, but there was no phone in the room. (So that also meant no wifi.) On our way down we find the hot tub. (Did I mention that I love hot tubs?) Oh, well, never mind. There is water in it but it is covered up. Hmmm. Maybe don’t want to use that one.”

“So M goes to the front desk and asks about restaurants. No way are we moving the car! The lady hands him a book. Like we really know where any of those places are or how to get there. Did I mention we are not moving that car!”

“M convinces them to give us a new room on the 2nd floor. When we walk in and are happy to see a jazzuci tub. This room is much nicer and warmer. Which is good because we never could get the heat to work in there either.”

“So our new friend Mike is checking out restaurants for us that are in the vicinity. He even calls one to find out their hours. However when we return from our room change, Mike is gone. We hook up with some other OSU fans and wait. We wait awhile and they catch another ride and we decide to check out the bar and grill across the street. The neighborhood we are in looks a little run down and seedy so we don’t want to walk too far. We stick our head in the door and are told the menu is on the bar. It’s lite and looks clean and mostly empty so we decide to give it a try. I order a grilled chicken salad. It is delicious but packed with onions.(Did youknow that I hate onions?!) In a bit the manager comes over and visits with us. When we tell him where we are staying, he says “my sympathies.” He says “don’t eat the ice and you will be lucky if anything works.” O boy! Definitely confirmation.”

“New Year’s Day dawned and one bus and two trolleys later, we arrive in the French Quarter. After a breakfast of beignets and a little sightseeing, we head to the stadium for the OSU game. The game was a horrible experience as although our seats were very good we were sitting in the middle of the Ole Miss fans. Not a good place to be in a game where we got soundly beat!”

“The good news is we never did see any bed bugs. M said the hotel was so bad that they had packed their bags and left! The next morning we head for home and realize things could have been worse. At a DQ in Texas some OSU fans are stalled when their car won’t start. So we give them a hand and I am happy to say everyone got home safe and sound. I am also able to say THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!”

Even though frustration, anger, stress – many of the emotions we feel when dealing with a challenging situation or change were “knocking on my friends’ door” – they maintained their sense of humor and were able to laugh at the situation, so those emotions were never ever to cross the threshold.

If giggling and laughter seem to be missing from life because the stress and tension that have accompanied change and transition make it difficult to do so, try the following:

WAYS TO GET YOUR GIGGLE GOING

1. Watch a funny movie, sitcoms, or Comedy Central.
2. Go to a comedy club.
3. Read the comics.
4. Spend time with fun, playful people.
5. Share a good joke our story.
6. Bring humor into conversations.
7. Check your bookstore’s or library’s humor section.
8. Host a game night with friends.
9. Spend timewith a pet.
10. Goofaround with children.
11. Do something silly.
12. Sort through family photographs and write funny captions to go with your favorites.
13. Make time for fun activities.
14. Get seriously silly with Red Nose Day.
15. Go to a “laughter yoga” class.
16. Develop a humor bulletin board.

WAYS TO SEE THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE

1. Regain your smile.
2. Laugh at yourself.
3. Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them (refer to my friend’s saga above).
4. Surround yourself with reminders to lighten up.
5. Keep things in perspective.
6. Deal with your stress.
7. Pay attention to children and emulate them.
8. Count your blessings.
9. Recall several of the most embarrassing moments in your life then find the humor in them.
10. Anytime something annoying and frustrating occurs, turn it on its head and find the humor in it.
11. Read books, watch shows, or visit websites that take normal events many would find annoying, frustrating, upsetting, or overwhelming and show how silly the situation or reaction to the situation is.
12. When a person offends you or makes you angry, respond with humor rather than hostility.
13. Take a step back.
14. Value the extremes.
15. Avoid energy empires.

Change and challenging situations can be very tough for most people. Having something to laugh about can help diffuse gloomy thoughts and stubborn attitudes. Laughter–from giggles to those deep belly laughs– helps us counteract stress, cope with difficult situations, bring out creativity, diffuse conflict, connect with others, break tension, and so much more (think about what it does for you and add that to the list). So, get your giggle going and laugh often. And remember: If you truly want to improve your life, laugh at least once more today than yesterday.

A week ago, I attended the Alpha Alpha State (Pennsylvania)Convention of The Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Society International. DKG is a professional honor society that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. When the recently elected president was addressing the group, past officers came up behind her with a set of butterfly wings. I found this symbolism so appropriate for the change of roles (a move from first vice-president to president) and for the metamorphosis into the organization’s leader. Mention was made of how this person had served in various roles within the organization all of which helped her gain the knowledge and understanding of what it would take to be the president (likened to the butterfly’s caterpillar stage of change). The “burden” of leadership was mentioned, but just as the wings of a butterfly allow it to overcome any burdens and soar high, so will the wings of leadership allow the incoming president to surmount any burdens she may encounter in her office.

With those powerful analogies and beautiful imagery bouncing around in my creative mind, thoughts for this week’s topic took shape. We can learn a lot about life and about change from the butterfly and this week, I want to explore 10 lessons on change that the butterfly teaches us.

LESSON #1: EMBRACE CHANGE. To embrace change means we are accepting of it. The following quote from http://www.idanceintherain.com nicely sums up this thought: “Do not see acceptance as a weakness. Accepting a situation does not mean you are giving up. Acceptance simply means that you recognize and understand your current situation. Acceptance allows you to be free from the shackles of denial and move forward in life, creating a new path and a new life for yourself.”

Nothing is permanent; change happens all the time. Before change happens, remember that some things go and are replaced by new things. This is a fact of life. And, with some change, it is necessary for the old, the former to go so that the new can come. For a caterpillar to become a butterfly it must change.

LESSON #2: ALL CHANGE BEGINS WITH AN ENDING. All change begins with some sort of loss. To get what one wants, one must give up what is. “It’s the end of the world,” said the caterpillar. “It’s the beginning of the world,” said the butterfly.

LESSON #3: LET GO OF THE PAST. In order to be able to fully let go andembrace whatchange brings, the acceptance of the loss, of theend of the current, is vital. You need to let go of the past in order to accept change and adjust to life, so that you can remain optimistic and create the future you want. Louise Smith says, “You can’t reach for anything new if your hands are full of yesterday’s junk.” We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.(Maya Angelou)The caterpillar must be let go before the butterfly can become.

LESSON #4: WE MUST SPEND TIME IN THE “WILDERNESS;” THE NEUTRAL ZONE. In our lives, the wilderness or neutral zone comes after a change has occurred and we have ended something and let go. This is a place when the old and the new overlap. For the butterfly, this is the pupa stage of its transformation. This is where a larva encapsulates itself into a shell-like structure that hangs from a twig or branch. Inside the structure, the insect is rapidly changing; transforming. It is in the wilderness of the change process that we, too, begin our transformation into “something new.” It is here that new ideas, new discoveries, re-orientations, and creativity take center stage and help propel those undergoing the change toward something they might be able to accept; something that might make their life better.

LESSON #5: COME OUT OF THE COCOON. The cocoon is the comfort zone of the caterpillar. Just imagine if the caterpillar never emerged from this state of change? We would never have the beautiful butterfly. Yes, change can be frightening. Getting moved out of our comfort zone is unsettling. We feel safe and secure when ‘wrapped’ in the zone. But, you will never know what is possible or what you are capable of unless you leave the confines of what is comfortable and known. How can you move forward unless you are willing to open new doors and try new things. Indeed, you will never know what you are capable of doing; you may never reach your full potential unless you venture beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone.

The shift outside our comfort zone forces us to try new things. The shift outside our comfort zone gives us an opportunity to learn things about ourselves and to see ourselves in a different light. The shift outside our comfort zone gives us our “wings.” You can only fly once you are willing to give up the safety of your cocoon. And, like the butterfly, you have the strength and hope to believe that in time, you will emerge from your cocoon, transformed.

LESSON #6: TRUST THE FUTURE. Today a caterpillar; tomorrow a butterfly. Don’t lose hope because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Embrace the opportunity to pursue your vision, your dream, your goal! Sonia Ricotti’s thoughts sum up thisthought nicely, “Just trust that everything is unfolding in the way it is supposed to. Don’t resist. Surrender to what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be. Great things are waiting for you around the corner.”

LESSON #7: UNFURL YOUR WINGS. Never underestimate that power that is, and has always been, within you. You need to be confident in yourself when dealing with change. The more confident you are, the more likely you are to deal positively with whatever change is facing you. And, the more confident you are, the stronger your sense of control and direction will be allowing you to approach anything change challenges you with.

You must believe in yourself. When you believe in yourself, you are more willing to be pro-active, to take action which is really needed when dealing with change and transition. No matter what change is bringing to you, if you move forth confidently keeping your dreams, your goals, and what you want front and center, you will invariably be successful. You can rise above any challenge change throws your way if you remember to remain confident in yourself!

LESSON #8: DARE TO GET OFF THE GROUND. “Just when the caterpillar thought, ‘I am incapable of moving,’ it became a butterfly.” (Annette Thomas) When change and transition alter the course of your journey and a new route must be tried, there is a certain amount of risk involved when traveling down the unknown route. Instead of curling up in the safety of your comfort zone, be bold and step up the challenge. Remember, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. T.S. Eliot said, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

We have all heard the proverb, “Nothing ventured; nothing gained.” In times of change and transition, if we want to ‘gain,’ to make progress in the new environment or situation, we must ‘venture.’ With that venture, we will sometimes have to take risks to move forth; to make progress. So, don’t regret the chance you didn’t take. Make things happen for you. Be brave. Take that first step. You may be surprised what you learn about yourself.

LESSON #9: RIDE THE BREEZES AND SAVOR THE FLOWERS. Butterflies seem to dance as they flutter along the breezes and among the flowers. Their “dance on the breeze” can be a reminder to us to approach things with joy; with enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the fuel that sustains you when dealing with change. It is the fire that lights you up and keeps you moving forward in the face of difficulties. It lifts you up (just as the breezes lift a butterfly) when the situation looks dark, and it energizes you when you are tired. Being enthusiastic about what you are doing will increase your experience in a really good way. It increases your vitality. You will go about your life with energy and you’ll feel good about what you are doing, no matter what it is.

When we are enthusiastic, we are: more positive; more optimistic; less stressed; more excited about life. If we can maintain excitement and enthusiasm, we are able to better deal with whatever issue the change may be presenting. As Norman Vincent Peale said, “Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do.” Enthusiasm is the fire that lights you up and keeps you moving forward in the face of difficulties. It lifts you up when the situation looks dark, and it energizes you when you are tired.

LESSON #10: PUT ON YOUR BRIGHTEST COLORS. “Butterflies bring color and joy with them.” (Trish Phillips) After a change, don’t hide yourself. Announce to the world that you are here and you are ready to face whatever the change has brought/is bringing. The brighter the colors on a butterfly, the more noticeable it is. Be the same.

Wearing your brightest colors might release your inner child – the part of us that takes us back to a time when: we were free spirits; our imaginations would run wild; we were creative beyond reason; our days were filled with laugher, fun, joy, and play; we were wildly happy about anything and everything; when cardboard boxes became houses, cars, airplanes or caves; curiosity drove a lot of what we did; we weren’t afraid to take a risk or make a mistake; we bounced back from any type of daily disruption; we lived in the moment.

Our inner child exudes unbridled joy, boundless energy, a free-spirited nature, a wild imagination, creativity, happiness, enthusiasm, resilience, stamina, laughter, fun, curiosity, a sense of wonder. Aren’t these characteristics that we want working for us as we deal with change? Leo F. Buscaglia wrote, “I am often accused of being childish. I prefer to interpret that as child-like. I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things. I tend to exaggerate and fantasize and embellish. I still listen to instinctual urges. I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind. I never water my garden without soaking myself. It has been after such times of joy that I have achieved my greatest creativity and produced my best work.”

If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. And so it is with us. If nothing ever changed with us, we’d remain “caterpillars” all our lives. This is not how life is meant to be lived. Change is inevitable, so just like the beautiful butterfly, let’s channel that change for the better. We need to continually grow and evolve. Just as the butterfly goes through a metamorphosis, so must we. Simona Rich writes, “Imagine the grand metamorphosis of the butterfly. Let’s relate the stages of this experience to the various aspects of our lives: first the tiny egg of potential, then the tireless caterpillar working toward that potential, then the chrysalis allowing that potential to take shape, and finally the butterfly who realizes that potential and takes flight.”

The butterfly is a wonderful symbol for change, transition, adaptation, and metamorphosis. When you see one, may it remind you of these 10 lessons on change that we can learn from this magnificent creature.