The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I received this from an Al-Anon friend today and thought I would share it with my MIP Family
HUGS,
RLC
THE BUTTERFLY STORY
Whenever we see a fuzzy caterpillar it is hard for us to realize that some day this ugly, crawling and somewhat repulsive little creature will soar on wings as bright as any flower.
Before this great change comes about, the fuzzy little worm withdraws from its caterpillar world and finds itself a place alone and there painfully and with much struggling, it wraps itself tightly into a cocoon of its own making it literally seals itself off from the world.
Days pass then very gradually; a crevice appears in the hard outer layer of its private little cage. And finally a new creature emerges quite a different creature too. It sits for a while, clinging to its familiar surroundings, waiting for the warmth of the sunshine to dry its wings --- and after a while it begins to flutter from flower to flower; and each time it lights on one it strengthens itself with what each one has to offer, and at the same time it leaves pollen that it has gathered up from every other flower it has visited thus enabling the flowers to make seeds and be born again.
We in Al-Anon have much in common with the butterfly. Time was when we too were unlovely creatures. In spirit we crawled instead of soaring.
And, as alcoholism progressed, and our ability to cope with it wore thinner and thinner, we too withdrew from our world, and built for ourselves a cocoon in which to hide.
Time passed, and finally somehow we heard of Al-Anon, and a tiny crack appeared in our private little cage that crack began with hope. After a few meetings the hard shell cracked, and we came out into the light and sat, absorbing the warmth of fellowship and understanding from the group.
Then we began to carry to others what we had found. And as we go to others we are strengthened by them, and in turn we leave with each one some of whatever all the others have given to us.
That is why Al-Anon in many parts of the country has begun to wear butterfly pins... At the conventions it is easy to spot our Al-Anon's, because almost everyone will have a butterfly pin on her shoulder.
This does not mean that we have abandoned the "Praying Hands" -- we can still wear them too; but the butterfly is a symbol all our own, and I hope you'll think it appropriate. What lovelier gift to give someone you have introduced to Al-Anon or what would be more meaningful as a gift to the one who introduced you to this program?
RLC: I am not sure but I think I got a butterfly key chain when I shared at a Roundup in CA. Naturally, I lost it but I remember the day. I feel like the butterfly is a good way of describing our Alanon journey. Thanks for the story.
I kinda think caterpillars are wonderful to experience - ever see a child watch in wonder as a caterpillar crawls up his arm? Interesting thing about butterflys in my recent past - a woman whose husband had recently died retired and we gave her a small retirement party - I was tasked with picking out the card/cake, etc. and had already gotten one card when I chanced upon another I thought was just perfectly delicate and simple and I just HAD to buy it too. She came to me during the party and told me that ever since her husband had died they had received a butterfly of some sort and guess what the second card had on it? yup, a butterfly.
Butterflies are flying flowers - symbols of hope and beauty.
__________________
I am strong in the broken places. ~ Unknown
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another! ~ Anatole France
This summer in particular, I've paid a lot of attention to the butterflies in my flower garden. I view them as a reminder that everything happens in its own time. If a chrysalis is tampered with, for example by a curious child, the butterfly will die.
Each of us blooms in our own time. Some of us take a little while longer; I feel I'm in this category.
Thanks for taking the time to share!
__________________
You have to go through the darkness to truly know the light. Lama Surya Das
Resentment is like taking poison & waiting for the other person to die. Malachy McCourt
I love hearing about Butterflies in Alanon. They truly are an inspirational creature...so similar in their journey to freedom such as we venture.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I miss reading this and sharing it also. It's a keeper!...right along with 'lacewings and dragonflies'.....
~!~
__________________
...He compared his weathered hand to mine and said, ... GROWTH OF THE MIND AND HEART are the best offers you can give.my Grandfather (Keeper of Stories), to me
