We all need to learn to fly

The job hunting process has been slow, yet finally I have two interviews lined up for the next week. It seems that this is the length of time it takes - I'm such a novice at this job hunting gig.

I'm not complaining in the least (okay just a little) but I've been able to get so many things done in the last few weeks that it's been worthwhile. I finally feel like I can breathe again so it's been time well spent.

I have to share a story that a wise person shared with me today, I've never thought about things quite like this before.

The Butterfly

A man found a butterfly cocoon. He watched his cocoon for several days. One day a tiny opening appeared in the cocoon. He sat very still and watched as the butterfly struggled for several hours to force itself through the tiny hole of it’s cocoon. Then it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared to the man as if the butterfly had gone as far as it could, and could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly out of the cocoon. 

He snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon with scissors, and the butterfly emerged effortlessly. There was something strange, however. The butterfly had a swollen body, and it’s wings were shriveled. The man watched closely, expecting that the wings would enlarge and expand to support the body, which would contract in time.Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.

Though the man acted in kindness, what he did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the small opening of the cocoon are God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready to fly once it has achieved its freedom from the cocoon. 

There's an important message in this analogy, for me the 'fixer' of all. It helped me to understand that sometimes the best thing we can do for someone is to simply be there for them through their struggles. It helped me realise that maybe I need to stop trying to “fix” everyone, and to give them the space to work through their trials and grow strong on their own. 

Food for thought if nothing else.

My new project management book (helpful for all your personal projects) is up and almost ready to go, so I'll share the link when that's available. Just a few more tweaks with the formatting and templates before I'm totally happy.

I'm attending a SA Romance Writers Group tomorrow night which I'm looking forward to. This is all part of finding a group that fits my needs and helps keep the writing motivation flowing.

I'm keeping busy and getting plenty done at the moment, both creatively and also in the garden and general de-cluttering around the house. Quite pleased with the results.

So what have you done recently to help you fly?

Cheers, Fi