From A Caterpillar To A Beautiful Butterfly

Have you ever really looked at a butterfly? The intricate colors and shapes of their wings? Last summer I was sitting by the shore of Lake Superior when a butterfly climbed onto my hand. I watched as he meandered along my skin, appearing to not have a care in the world. I marveled at his beauty and I began to ponder what it means to be beautiful.
As I sat entranced and deep in thought, I noticed this beautiful butterfly had an injured wing and could not fly. His imperfection, while noticeable to me, didn’t seem to bother him in the least. He didn’t care he was imperfect in his appearance. He was living in the moment in a splendid and peaceful place. I marveled at his faith and trust in me to accept him just as he was and it brought tears to my eyes.
In society’s eyes, being beautiful often seems to be associated with being thin, having flawless skin, impeccable makeup, georgious hair, and a winning smile with bright white teeth. In society’s eyes, I am not beautiful. I struggle with my weight, my skin is flawed, my makeup is basic, my hair is totally grey, and I am self conscience about my smile due to dental prosthetics I wear. I am like that butterfly on the outside, visibly imperfect. Then I thought, why should I let it bother me? Why can’t I be like the butterfly?
Every day we are bombarded with things that tell us we don’t measure up. It’s created a stigma that makes us feel less than what we are. I have an amazing husband and I want to see myself through his eyes when he tells me I am beautiful! I want to be like that trusting butterfly, that never once doubted my intentions, to admire and cherish those moments we shared together.
As I dove deeper into my thoughts, he tickled my hand and I giggled. I brought him up to my eye level and we stared into each other’s eyes. I realized in those brief, few moments, that I AM beautiful, not because of all the things I thought made someone beautiful, but because a persons true beauty isn’t on the outside, it exists on the inside. It’s the love we carry for all of those we meet along the way! It’s in the hug we give a weary person, just to lift their spirits. Its the encouragement and support we show to those who need it. It’s in the love a husband has for his wife because he see’s her true heart and the giving soul that exist inside her.
For the first time, I could finally see myself through Tim’s eyes and I smiled.  This tiny butterfly with the injured wing, taught me that day, what it truly means to be beautiful! He began as a small, not so cute caterpillar, but with time he blossomed into a beautiful butterfly.