On Transformation: The Value of Monarchs

The words of Henry David Thoreau may point you in a direction you need, but didn’t realize. Springtime is inspiring for many reasons, especially when you’re considering a personal transformation.

“Each new year is a surprise to us. We find that we had virtually forgotten  the note of each bird, and when we hear it again, it is remembered like a dream, reminding us of a previous state of existence… The voice of nature is always encouraging.” – Henry David Thoreau

One of the key elements and biggest challenges of personal transformation is remaining true to yourself. If you’ve gone through a transition from one part of your life to the next, you’ve probably experienced genuine excitement about realizing some of the goals you set for yourself and some trepidation about the vast changes you see in the future.

Transformation Doesn’t Mean Wholesale Change

This may be a challenging word for you. It signals a kind of “out with the old, in with the new” approach to change. It sounds rash and disrespectful on the surface; but use nature as the key to understanding transformation. Consider the monarch.

You probably recognize the caterpillar on the left side of the picture. Once it enters its chrysalis, it begins the process of becoming a butterfly. The same creature that entered the cocoon emerges – only now in a different form. The orange, black, and white stripes on the monarch caterpillar become brightly colored wings and spotted abdomen of the monarch butterfly.

Reimagine Yourself as Different and the Same

Once you recognize for yourself how you can honor the things in your past or current existence that are important to you, you can take on the changes you see in next phase of your life. Maybe you’ll even get a butterfly tattoo to give yourself a way of telling your transformation story when someone notices it. Brilliant!

Spring is the season of growth and renewal, sunshine and rainstorms, caterpillars and butterflies. It’s also a great time to begin your journey into transformation – and coaching can give you support you need to become a new you. Let’s get started on your transformation together!

Bradley K. Ward, PCC, TICC, TIRC is a leadership and transformational coach at Brad Ward Coaching LLC in Palm Springs, CA. Contact Brad to learn how coaching can help you reach for the impossible!