When we look at a butterfly fluttering through a garden, it is so easy to get lost in the vibrant colors of its wings and the graceful way it dances on the breeze. We see the finished masterpiece, the bright orange or deep blue, and we call it beautiful. But Maya Angelou reminds us that there is a hidden, much more difficult story behind that beauty. The butterfly didn't just appear; it endured a period of complete dissolution, a time spent in the dark, cramped confines of a chrysalis where everything it used to be was broken down and rebuilt. To truly appreciate the butterfly, we have to acknowledge the struggle of the transformation.

I think we often do the same thing in our own lives. We scroll through social media and see the highlights of our friends' lives—the promotions, the beautiful weddings, the perfect vacations—and we admire the 'butterfly' moments. We rarely stop to consider the messy, quiet, and often lonely periods of change that made those moments possible. We see the success, but we overlook the late nights, the tears, and the moments of deep uncertainty that were necessary for that growth to happen. It is much easier to celebrate the result than to sit with the discomfort of the process.

I remember a time when I felt like I was stuck in my own version of a dark cocoon. I was going through a major career shift that felt incredibly unstable and frightening. I felt like I was losing my sense of direction, and honestly, I felt quite lost. It was a period of heavy silence and a lot of questioning. But looking back now, I realize that the discomfort was actually the catalyst for my growth. Without that period of being 'undone,' I wouldn't have developed the resilience or the new skills that I carry with me today. The struggle wasn't an obstacle to my beauty; it was the very thing that created it.

As you move through your week, I want to encourage you to look at your own struggles with a bit more tenderness. If you are in a season of change that feels difficult, heavy, or even a bit messy, please remember that you are simply in the middle of your transformation. You are doing the hard work of rebuilding. Don't be afraid to honor your own process, even the parts that aren't pretty to look at. Next time you see a butterfly, take a moment to breathe and remember that your current struggles are planting the seeds for a beautiful future you cannot yet see.