Metamorphosis

Butterflies are winged insects characterised by large, often brightly coloured wings. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, a change of form of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.The butterfly begins life as an egg, emerges as a caterpillar, goes through a processing phase called a pupa, and then undergoes a complete change in body form during development as a butterfly. In nature, it’s not uncommon for a species to pass before it reaches adulthood. We delight in the beauty of butterflies, often forgetting the hardships it went through to achieve that beauty. Similarly, humankind goes through a form of metamorphosis: a child, a teenager, an adult, and an elderly person. Life is an endless cycle of change, we never stop developing and evolving.

Oftentimes, taking leaps is something we spend time deciding on. Decisions as big as job offers, and college applications, to things as mundane as what you’ll eat and wear for the day. We’re scared to make some decisions because it dictates our life. Growing up, our decisions become harder, our options lessen, and our resolution is tested. Because truthfully, growing pains were never just body aches. What we go through is subjective to the conditions we grew up in. Like so, not everybody has the privilege to experience the same things that aided us in our growth. Some people go above and beyond to attain things some of us have never worked for, and despite humans being the apex of species, the food chain remains unstable with people who have affluent environments at the top. And like all things, growth is never linear; we stumble and fall, but we get back up and try again every single day. Despite not having a fair start in life, it does not hinder us to achieve those who have already begun. Life, like a wave, comes and goes. Through high waves coming over the sea, to small ripples just above its surface. And like a butterfly, we sometimes have to go through an unrecognizable process before we return as a more stronger, beautiful, and resilient being.

Metamorphosis is not limited to the winged creatures who feed off of flora, but it is found in every living being capable of change. Every single opportunity presented in our life could be the next step to our growth. Take every risk, every doubt, and every opportunity that life throws at you. And like a butterfly roaming the meadows, I hope we see each other in between the wildflowers.

-Athena Deiyz Anicete