No, I do not believe I came out of Parkinson’s as beautiful as a butterfly. However, since my previous post was about the sixteen year anniversary of my full recovery, I thought this would be a good follow up.
The caterpillar creates the cocoon
Before a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, it creates a cocoon. A cocoon may hang from a leaf, a wall on your house, a windowsill, etc. Each cocoon is a little bit different than the others. Also, each cocoon hangs from a little different place than the others. Finally, each cocoon provides a little different protection for the caterpillar than the others.
The caterpillar’s process
What do the caterpillar’s cocoons have in common? They stay on their path until their transformation when the butterfly emerges.
Also, every day when you see the cocoon, it is exactly where it was the day before, day after day after day after day. It is not on the house one day and the leaf the next and the deck the next. The cocoon is formed and the metamorphosis takes place. Additionally, transformation into a butterfly first depends on choosing the correct path and not getting off of the path.
Transforming into a butterfly
The caterpillar chooses its path, a wall or a leaf or windowsill, etc. Moreover, it does not get off the path. The caterpillar knows that some day it will be transformed into a butterfly. It chooses its path and has the confidence to stay on the path until it emerges as a butterfly. It finds its Inner Divine, final transformation takes place, and the butterfly is radiant.
Conclusion
Having Parkinson’s can be like being in a cocoon. However, the caterpillar knows the cocoon is a necessary element in its life journey. It knows that if it endures the symptoms of the cocoon, it will transform into a butterfly. Yes, endures the symptoms of the cocoon.
The cocoon is tight and restrictive. Also, when the wind blows, the cocoon is shaking. The cocoon can make the caterpillar feel like it cannot move at all. However, the caterpillar endures, and in the end, it emerges as a butterfly.
You are dealing with Parkinson’s. Additionally, you have chosen your path, doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®. Additionally, you are enduring the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s is tight and restrictive. Also, with Parkinson’s, the wind blows from the inside outward causing shaking. Some it feels like you cannot move at all. However, you are enduring the transformation just like the caterpillar.
Finally, caterpillar emerges as a butterfly. Finally, you emerge with your full recovery.
Transform into a butterfly! Transform into your full recovery!
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
A couple of notes: Thank you to all of you who posted comments on the blog and sent Sally and me private notes congratulating us on me being 16 years cured of Parkinson’s. We are grateful for all of you.
My book, Fighting Parkinson’s…and Winning is now available in two more languages, Portuguese (Brazil) and Italian. These are in addition to the recent translations to German, Spanish, and French.
Click here for Lutando contra o Parkinson… e vencendo, Portuguese (Brazil) edition.
Click here for Combattere il parkinson… e vincere, Italian edition
A beautiful image, Howard. Thank you for sharing it.
I look forward to unfolding my wings and flying!
Great analogy Howard! Thanks for sharing your wise and inspiring perspective.
We can and will all recover.
Enjoy each moment by staying aware and creatively imagining your butterfly.
Many Blessings!
Thank you Howard! Cocoons have a definite purpose and function in our recovery from Parkinson’s symptoms! Patience and perseverance play a vital role in all aspects of transformation! May God bless us all as we persevere in the process of healing and transformation and onto Full Recovery from our Parkinson’s symptoms!
Thank you, Howard, for this potent metaphor!
It reminds me of something Richard Bach wrote: What to the caterpillar is the end of the world, to us is a butterfly!
Indeed when we will each emerge from our cocoon, the world we knew (of constantly attempting to be in control, to be perfect, to please others, and so forth) will end.
And in its place we will experience the shimmering world of flying on butterfly’s wings, fully recovered!
We are ALL worth it!
Dear Howard, what a beautiful analogy. And so true. Thank you. Congratulations on your 16 years cured. We can all RECOVER from PARKINSON’S This is just a learning curve to a brighter future.
Thank you Howard, this was a great message that I really needed today! Congratulations on 16 years of recovery! You did it and so can I! We all can!! Many Blessings to everyone!
Thank you Howard for the beautiful picture you created for us!
We are all worth of recovery!!
Wonderful picture you have created Howard.
We can’t become a beautiful butterfly without being a cocoon first.
We can all transform so let’s do it!
Patience is something we can add to gratitude, joy, acceptance and the other emotions that help us on our journey to reverse PD and fly free like a butterfly.
Great analogy Howard! Like the cocoon, we endure by doing the Recipe every day. Like the butterfly, we know the path and know what to look forward to.
Belated congratulations on your 16 year anniversery!
Thank you, Howard, for this metaphor. It reminds me that transformation is a process and that there are steps and stages along the way. It doesn’t happen instantly. It’s important not to lose heart before we experience the full fruition of our work. I try to favor the good, the joy, the peace and give thanks for these gifts and then let go of what no longer serves. One day, I hope to shed the cocoon and spread my wings. I wish the same for my brothers and sisters with PD.
Congratulations on yours and Sally’s 16 years post Parkinson’s.. That’s amazing.
Eventually and gradually, there should be lots of perseverance to patience and to the virtues of gratitude and joy. Thank you Howard!!🙏
Happy Father’s Day Howard and to all the fathers in our PD sphere, near and far!!!
Yes, I can, like the caterpillar endure the symptoms of the cocoon so I can transform into a beautiful monarch butterfly. Spreading my wings with grace and gratitude
I’m transforming into my full recovery.
I am worth it. We are worth it!
Thank you Howard
Congrats, Howard and Sally! Here’s to metamorphosis on the solstice! ❤️
Yes, this is right on! True transformation happens by design. Nothing spontaneous here. Evolving and growing, reinventing everyday— loving ourselves in every way to become our own best version of ourselves. Becoming who we’re meant to be because we are worthy!
#Temporary #Overcomer
I love this so much, and use this visual often. Every time I see a butterfly, I am reminded of the gift of life, and quietly thank the butterfly for sharing it’s short life with me for even a moment.
Thank you, Howard for this wonderful post!
And so it is…