Perspective ShiftA caterpillar and a butterfly are technically the same organism. They share the same DNA but show up in the world in two totally different ways. Their perspectives are so different. A caterpillar sees only what's there right in front of it. As it munches along its branch, looking for food, it might be able to raise up to about half its body length, possibly a little bit more, but that's as far as it can "see." A butterfly, on the other hand, can fly hundreds to thousands of feet above the ground and can travel for miles. A butterfly can see things that a caterpillar couldn't even imagine: the tops of trees, lakes, rivers, mountains, buildings, predators, mates. It's amazing how shifting your perspective can cause you to see things you never even thought existed—opportunities, alternative viewpoints, solutions to problems you’re facing. When I've been in my caterpillar stage, face close to the ground, looking at just what was in front of me, I'd sometimes get so caught up in whether there was enough—enough to sustain me, enough to protect me, enough to make me happy. Or, I’d get caught in what I thought was blocking my path - a rejection, a “failure”, or a “bad decision”. What I realize, whenever I'm able to shift to my butterfly perspective, is that those problems, those situations, those issues that loomed so large in front of me when my face was so close to the ground are not what they seemed back then. Just like the analogy of the three blind men who are feeling different parts of an elephant and describing what it might be to them - one thinks it's a tree trunk, another thinks it's a wall, and another thinks it's a fire hose. Each has an inaccurate perception of what’s in front of them because they can’t see the whole picture. Whenever we're facing something that seems daunting, insurmountable, or could in some way pose a major obstacle in our path, remember to take a moment to ask: “Am I looking at this from my caterpillar perspective or my butterfly perspective?” Perspective matters. 🦋 Stephanie G. Vanterpool, MD, MBA |
Do you believe there is more for you to be, do, or accomplish in life—but you don't know exactly what it is or how to get there? Just as a caterpillar has access to everything it needs to become a butterfly, you already have access to everything you need to manifest your God-given destiny. Your blueprint already exists. Personal transformation is how you manifest it. Join me as we explore that journey together. (P.S. After you sign up, keep an eye on your inbox. If you don't see your confirmation email within a few minutes, please check your spam or junk folder.)