“Gratitude: appreciative, thankful.”
– Webster’s Dictionary
The Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. is focused on gratitude, and we count our many blessings, including family, friends, and the great food. This year, I’m also trying to look beyond the obvious things and find benefits in the struggle, the contrast, the lack of certain things. What can I learn from this situation that isn’t how I want it to be? How can I give thanks for the struggle?
When a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, it must struggle against the chrysalis that has protected its amazing transformation. The struggle is vitally important to strengthen the butterflies wings. In fact, if you cut the chrysalis to help the butterfly emerge, it never gets strong enough to fly, and dies.
Using this metaphor, I know that there is a broader purpose for all those things which I might deem “struggles.” And I am grateful for the process, trusting that something beautiful will emerge.