Molting
There are animals in nature who completely shed their protective layer be it a shell, skin, or exoskeleton when they grow. They are left with a soft new layer or forced to find a new home. Humans don’t go through anything so dramatic, but we do grow out of our old coping skills. Once we choose to live differently, it is our responsibility to slough off the old version of who we have been to take our new form as the latest version of ourselves. We can make the decision to evolve from the parts of ourselves that no longer serve who we are. In doing so the new version of who we are can feel soft and not quite set. It feels vulnerable. The new skills we learn can feel awkward and clumsy. With time they get easier to use. They become second nature.
Metamorphosis
The natural evolution from one version of an organism to another. The transformation from caterpillar to a butterfly. It happens slowly and intentionally. The human development from infant, to toddler, to child, to adolescent, to adult, to elder is all part of what we do if we are given the opportunity. Not any one of us is the same version of who started as. There will be some traits that stay the same, but we are all supposed to age, grow, and change. In the process of metamorphosis, the caterpillar encloses itself into a cocoon and breaks down into a soup or goo. We can choose to isolate in our time of healing. We want to keep ourselves safe while we learn how to use our new skills. This time by ourselves can give us an opportunity to shift perspective and practice adjusting how we see the road ahead. As our bigger, fuller, more whole self emerges, we can allow our wings to expand so we can soar.
Seasonal change
The transition from one season to another. As the planet orbits the sun we get further and closer depending on the elliptical motion. The position of the planet dictates season on the planet. I love the transitional season of fall and spring. I truly appreciate the death and rebirth that is evident with the plants and trees specifically. The climate in the high desert of New Mexico creates a glorious show along the banks of the Rio Grande River. The colors of red, orange, and yellow fall puts on the most beautiful show before the leaves fall and carpet the sand is breathtaking. The spring is equally transformative to the landscape. The trees come alive with green buds. The flowers of the desert begin to bloom on the cactus native to our arid mountain terrain. Humans also go through seasons of death and rebirth. With the events and circumstances of life, we change from one version of us to a new one. Losing parts of ourselves that used to make sense. We get to bloom and grow into new parts.
Nature reminds us that it is ok to let go. By practicing being present and appreciating the moment, we can work on creating meaning right now. So often we are holding on so tightly to what we think something should be we get stuck. Each of us has the opportunity to shed our old selves. We can choose to be a better version of us with new skills and tools. We can grow into the person we want to be having the relationships we deserve by allowing ourself the release of how things have always been. The making meaning is entirely up to us. What keeps up stuck is how much attachment me we have to the expected outcome.
When we are holding on to how it should be, we often miss the things that aren’t working. In choosing to continue in unhelpful dynamics we are only hurting ourselves. Taking a lesson from nature can give up new options and perspectives to shift the expectation and in doing so, the meaning.
