In a dream I saw myself as a caterpillar. Everyday, I inched along, doing what caterpillars do; never getting very far above the ground. Though progress was slow, I was driven by an insatiable appetite, so I kept on going. I ingested everything in my path but it seemed nothing ever satisfied the hunger that I felt. I knew that a Caterpillar was what I was meant to be. Then one day, I noticed something was different. I was overcome by a very strong need to be still. And so I decided to build a cocoon. It was cold and dark on the inside of the cocoon. But I could feel myself begin to change from the inside out and I knew that it was meant to be. Time seemed irrelevant while I was there. A moment could have been eternity; eternity, a moment. It was all the same to me. I remained in the stillness; not understanding what was happening but believing that it should. I rested in that belief until there appeared in the cocoon a pin hole of light. I heard the light call to me, “Come.” For the first time since entering the cocoon, I began to stir.
It was a real struggle at first, but the more I moved toward the light the brighter the light became. The brighter the light became, the less I had to struggle. Then suddenly, I realized I was no longer inside the cocoon. I was still hanging on to it, but I was no longer inside it. I felt the warmth of the light as it began to wipe away the cold and the dark to which I had grown so accustomed. Hanging there, I felt a soft breeze blow across my body. I heard a voice in the light say “It’s time to let go.” As I heard these words, I found myself letting go of what remained of the confining cocoon. At first I was afraid of falling, then to my surprise, I began to fly. Yes, it was true. I was now a Butterfly. I had emerged from the cocoon with the most beautiful pair of wings. I felt such a need to fly; a need that was just as insatiable as the hunger I had felt when I was a caterpillar. The feeling of joy and freedom that overcame me was indescribable. I wanted to share it with the world. I spread my wings and I took to the sky. I danced on the wind and I kissed every flower that I saw. I knew that a Butterfly was what I was meant to be.
One morning, as I was fluttering about as Butterflies do, I looked up and saw a beautiful mountain; a big, beautiful majestic mountain. I rested on a nearby rock and gazed at the majesty before me. I knew there was something special about this mountain. I could see a type of glow radiating from it that I had never seen before. It was as if the mountain was made of light. I was in awe. Then, I heard the mountain call to me, “Come.” Down deep inside I knew that I should go, but it was so high and it was so far away. I had never flown that high or that far. Again, the mountain called, “Come.” I wondered if I could really do it. Did I have the strength? I knew I had to go. I had no idea how I would do it…but I had to go. So when I heard the mountain call once more, I took to the sky.
There was a cautious exhilaration that came in those first moments. “I’m just a Butterfly” I thought to myself. “I’m so small and my wings are so fragile.” But the mountain kept calling and I kept flying. The higher I flew the brighter the light from the mountain became. The brighter the light from the mountain became, the stronger I grew. Much to my amazement, I realized that I was once again being transformed. I no longer felt small and fragile. My wings were powerful and their span was becoming ever so wide. The eyes that I now looked thru allowed me to see so much that I could not see before. Yes, it was true. I was now an Eagle…and I wasn’t just flying…I was soaring! I soared and I soared; higher and higher. The freedom and joy that I felt as a Butterfly did not even compare to what I was now experiencing. I knew that an Eagle was what I was meant to be. As I attempted to take it all in I realized that I was at the peak of the mountain. I touched down softly and surveyed my surroundings. There was light all around. From my new vantage point, I could see beauty that I never knew existed. I felt as if I could see forever and the beauty never ended. Threads of light were all connected and interwoven creating a magical tapestry. I looked up and saw an even brighter light shining thru a white cloud laced with silver.
I heard a voice from beyond the cloud say. “You’re almost home.” I didn’t know exactly what that meant. I felt so at home where I was; surrounded by beauty and light. Surely there could be nothing better. Then I heard that familiar call, “Come.” I stood up, spread my wings and flew toward the light. As I entered the white cloud before me, I felt as if I was being lifted. I was lifted higher and higher. When I emerged from the cloud, there was nothing but light. Everywhere I looked, I saw light. I was standing beside a river of light. I looked at my reflection and I couldn’t believe what I saw. I had once again been transformed. Yes, it was true. I was a Dove…and I was made of the purest light. Freedom and joy abounded. I spread my wings and the light became even brighter. I knew that a Dove was what I was meant to be. It was then I heard a voice from the light softly whisper, “I AM Love. Welcome Home.”
When I awoke, I felt such peace. For in my heart I knew that the Caterpillar is the Butterfly is the Eagle is the Dove…and all of these is Love. I know that Love is what I am meant to be. Love is what I AM.
~D~
Copyright 2010 – Denise Gilreath ©
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