If I am being honest, I must admit that I love butterflies and they hold a very special meaning for me. The butterfly for me represents hope and new beginnings. Butterflies come in all shapes, sizes, and colors; and they are each beautiful in their own way. But before we get to enjoy and admire the butterfly’s beauty we should acknowledge the process.  We have all heard the story of how a caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly; the caterpillar eats and eats until it is time to cocoon itself and wait for a radical transformation. But how does the story of the caterpillar translate to your life? Consider what the caterpillar has gone through prior to being able to test out those beautiful wings. The caterpillar has to sacrifice who it is in order to become what it was created to be. In our lives, we face a multitude of challenges, some that are self-imposed and others that were imposed upon us. Some of us have experienced hurts and pains that are unspeakable and often remain unspoken. From childhood we search for meaning, purpose, love, fulfillment, joy, acceptance. Our past may often hinder us from stepping out on faith and allowing God to reveal the purpose He has for our lives.  I compel you to ask yourself- What is it going to take for me to transform from who I am today to who God has called me to be? Your journey can begin as soon as you are ready. Your wings are waiting for you!

We live in a world that is constantly on the move. We hit the snooze button a few times on our alarm and then we jump out of bed to start a day that is go-go-go until we fall into bed at night just to start all over again in the morning. I dare you to pause for just a second and consider- What have you done today to take care of you? Think about that. When was the last time you sought out to do something that prioritized your wellbeing? On those days when you feel stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and downright run down; do you feel guilty for wanting time to rejuvenate yourself? We have been conditioned to think that the care of self is selfish. It is important to remember that you can’t give away what you don’t have. If you push yourself until you have nothing left to give, you aren’t much good to yourself or anyone else. It is ok to take time for yourself. It is ok to admit that you can’t do it all. It is ok to ask for help. When you neglect to give your mind, body, and spirit the attention it needs you are limiting your access to having a healthy and fulfilled life. I challenge you to find what you need in order to fall in love with taking care of yourself- Mind. Body. and Soul.