I have several friends with grown children, some flourishing, some struggling with life’s unexpected twists and turns. Their lament as parents is that they want to help their children avoid pitfalls, but their children often resist advice. Today, while listening to a friend's worries, I remembered something I learned while watching a first grade science lesson about butterflies.
During the two-week science unit, the children had observed caterpillars spin cocoons, and then the butterflies began to emerge. Two of the butterflies were struggling mightily. The children generously offered to help them escape their cocoons.
The teacher explained that a butterfly has to emerge on its own. The struggle is nature’s way of forcing fluid from the butterfly’s body into its wings so it will be ready to fly. Without the struggle, the butterfly will never fly.
Interesting lesson from the natural world...
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