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Metamorphosis
by Margaret Lembo

    The dictionary defines metamorphosis as 1. A transformation, as by magic or sorcery. 2. A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function. 3. Biology Change in the structure and habits of an animal during normal growth, usually in the post embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the emerging of an adult as in a butterfly from a caterpillar.

    There are times in the cycles of life when metamorphosis occurs, seemingly as if by magic. Usually a very strong event or experience catapults us into a place we’ve never been before that changes our lives forever. Through out our lives we often pray to become a better and stronger person. We may pray to be spiritually connected and have compassion and love for all human beings and all life. Then one day you finally receive the gift of the opportunity to actually experience and be all that you prayed for. Hmmm, yet once it appears, do we recognize that gift? Do we view it as a gift or a curse?

    Often our gifts of rites of passage magically appear without warning. Or if we actually had warning or signs, symbols and dreams, did we stop hurrying long enough to review and recognize them? Changes in how we view our reality may come as a result of the death of a loved one, betrayal by a friend, serious illness, divorce or natural disasters to name a few. During the experience, it often seems it will never end. Then one day, there is that literal and metaphoric light at the end of the tunnel. The light shines very brightly when we remember to stay focused on our heart and love, when we remember to pray for God’s help and when we remember to keep quiet to meditate and listen so that when the help comes we can recognize it!

    The actual metamorphosis process is not always comfortable. Often struggle and some despair accompany the process. Yet when we pray for strength, it is the struggle and the experience that helps to create the strength within to emerge as a butterfly from a caterpillar. The emergence of a butterfly is not an easy process. Yet with faith, trust, and most of all love, a beautiful soul transcends the struggle becoming closer to the True Divine Self.