How many of you out there like change? It’s so hard sometimes isn’t it? Changing diets, changing plans, changing perspectives. But change, like a yearly doctor visit is a necessary part of life.

I once visited the beautiful Columbus Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio with a friend where we were able to view butterflies as they hatched. It was amazing! Watching the butterflies struggle to come into the world and spread their wings spoke so much to me. Change can cause us to struggle and struggle. We get so tired while struggling and have to rest. But we must continue to press on out of the confines of our former self. Beauty and freedom await.

I watched as these beautiful creatures were born. It was no small task and took them probably an hour or more to fully emerge from their cocoons. One monarch in particular I watched as he worked and worked the muscles of his wings to free himself. His body pulsated and the very tops of his wings flexed as he pushed through. I never got to see him fully emerge but others that had emerged earlier were all around beneath him drying their wings.

Butterflies are so delicate you think they would fall apart during all that pushing from such a small space. But they are much more resilient and stronger than we know.

My friend and I entered the garden areas where butterfly after butterfly were flitting about like living jewels. A huge, blue one flew right up to my friends face surprising her. It was about as big as a bird and light as air as it glided around. So gorgeous!!

The freedom with which they now flew spoke to me as well. Freed from their constricting cocoons their purpose changed from teaching us about struggle to teaching us about freedom and beauty. Freedom from fear of change and breaking out of our fears is necessary to fulfill our full potential.

Some butterflies were on plants, others rested on waterfalls or streams, still others flew happily about as though they were rejoicing in their new freedom. It was a magical sight. I had my camera pointed in any direction I saw a flying drop of color. These beauties enthralled me and captured me with their individual colors, designs and ways of flying. I surely hope heaven is filled with these glorious gems!

What a beautiful lesson we had that day from these delicate and beautiful creatures. I created some artwork from this lesson which I gave to a friend just beginning her own flight in life.

I reflect on this experience today because change has been on my mind. I am personally in the midst of a change, I am 6 months pregnant and have recently relocated to a new home with my husband. I see each day as we organize our new home that change is happening all around us. We are learning to orient ourselves to a new space and to the thought of our first child coming into the world. What a beautiful journey it will be.

I encourage you to keep going even if you are struggling with change. I know for some time I felt that the struggle would not end and I would never begin to break through, but now I’m seeing the beginning. I’m still struggling of course, but now I’m gaining momentum.

Encourage yourself through like minded people and those who understand creativity matters. There is nothing worse to deaden your creative spirit than people who think creativity is futile. There can be many negative reactions to what you dream and what you pursue in life. I have been negatively told that what I do as a creative and artistic person is not enough or not sustainable enough. But I choose to view my work as an artist and a blogger as valid and true to who I am and what my purpose is. God has placed in you a purpose, a creativity that He wants to fulfill in you. The Creator of the universe place creation inside of each of us. Although it may look different for each one of us, it is an important part of who you are as an individual. Let people think what they want. You do you! Spread those wings and fly high butterfly, cause you never, never know if you don’t try!