My Life as a Frog

When we think of symbols for "transformation," the butterfly comes readily to mind. Sure it's impressive to go from sturdy, fuzzy, crawling caterpillar to delicate, exquisite, flying butterfly. No argument there. I just think it's highly significant that the whole process is accomplished in total seclusion.

I don't know about you, but I don't have the luxury of going off to a quiet, safe, secluded place when I have growing and changing to do. Just the opposite seems to be true for me. Here I am, compulsively comparing my AmEx statement against my checking account balance, sitting in summer traffic, trying to call my mother every day, doing my best to avoid hysterical accounts of potential geo-political catastrophes just about everywhere ... and ... oh yes, also making huge personal shifts in how I think, feel, behave and react. I know I am evolving from a five-sensory being to a multi-sensory being, as Gary Zukov described in Seat of the Soul, all while living my life as a healer, wife, mother, daughter, sister and citizen of the world.

Because of this, my new hero is the frog. Not nature's most attractive animal, yet one I can thoroughly relate to and admire.

The transformation from tadpole to frog takes place step by step in the real world. The tadpole is still in the pond when it begins to realize it needs air, not water; legs, not fins. There have got to be some days the creature doesn't know where he belongs, how to get around or even how to breathe. Sound familiar?

So, today I salute the valiant frog, just as I salute all of us conscious humans who are struggling with all this change and yet still keep going. Yay us!