FEAR
A Caterpillar First, A Butterfly Second
Poetry Theme: The Metamorphosis of Fear
The Poem
We start one way first Then become the second
A caterpillar first A butterfly second
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A baby first A grown adult second
A non-judgemental person first A judgemental person second
A fearless person first A timid person second
A happy person first A despondent person second
A forgiving person first A non-forgiving person second
A kind person first A cold-hearted person second
A creative person first A reserved person second
A fun person first A boring person second
A person full of dreams first A person without dreams second
A limitless person first A limited person second
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We are the caterpillar first Then the butterfly second
Or did you forget?
Reflections
We don’t start off afraid. We start off fearless. We don’t start off knowing our limits. We start going for whatever it is.
Kids don’t ask for a nightlight at first; they first assimilate into our fearful society, and then they ask for the nightlight.
Media, school, society, family, and friends teach us to be skeptical, afraid, overly cautious, and to limit our potential with boxed thinking. It is our responsibility to question the teachings we are taught to adopt, and it is our responsibility to break through the limits society puts in place for us.
The Metaphor
We start off as caterpillars, and then we become butterflies. Caterpillars (like babies) have limits; butterflies don’t. Caterpillars don’t have wings to fly and flourish, but butterflies do. We are the caterpillar when we are born, and we then evolve into butterflies.
“Your potential self is infinite.” — Yogi
Notice how the caterpillar evolves into more. The caterpillar doesn’t shrivel up and become less.
So why do humans evolve (age) and become less (e.g., insecure, low self-esteem, timid, self-conscious, limited, boxed-in) over time?
On Aging
As we age, it can be easy to:
- Become less interesting
- Become less adaptable
- Become less curious
- Become more skeptical
- Become more stubborn
- Stop having fun
- Stop dressing fun
- Mitigate our personalities
- Stop re-inventing ourselves
- Smile less
- Laugh less
- Travel less
- BE less
Stop shriveling up as you go through life. Keep life flowing through you — always. Never lose your vigor and zest for life. Have a ball!
Final Thoughts
- Be careful of the limiting thoughts, ideas, and beliefs you adopt.
- Be careful of the fears and skepticism you adopt from others.
- Be careful you don’t live a life of fear, which is no life at all.
- Be careful you don’t let others box you in.
- Be careful not to shrivel up as life goes by.
- Be careful to remember that you are limitless and can fly.
- Be careful you don’t subject yourself to mediocrity.
- Be careful you don’t listen to them when their teachings make you smaller.
Remember, you are a butterfly, which means you are meant to fly, flourish, and reach past limits — no matter your age.
Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers free books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained three degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or @ destinyh.com