Lessons in Magnificence

The first butterfly I ever reared from pupa stage to first flight was Mishka. This was in mid 2013 and when Mishka finally flew, I felt like she was leaving me a message- she wanted me to learn something.

All of us at home got very emotional when Mishka left. I think she made everyone think something. I have had so many butterflies after Mishka that I have lost count. I would run short of names when I had to name them and there are so many who have left without me seeing them. But Mishka was different. Maybe because she was the first ever.

A butterfly's life cycle is used as inspiration. There are so many lessons that one can derive from metamorphosis- the value of struggle, perseverance, the promise of potential and so forth. For me, all these were stories (incidentally, the first lesson I ever taught as a teacher was 'the hungry caterpillar') but witnessing it was something else.

I am 'flying' on Sunday. I have been at home and working from home for two years now and in two days I will be back working full time in a new organisation in an unfamiliar place. I have so many doubts and anxieties about life outside- maybe that's what Mishka went through when she was preparing herself to touch the skies.

The process of growth is so challenging especially when one has decided to step out of their comfort zone. I only have to remember that these anxieties are part of the growth process. Yesterday, Sue held my hand and told me "I don't have the courage to do what you do" and I replied "neither do I".
But magnificence through extreme struggle is a natural process. As Mishka taught me.

Comments

Surprise Stories

I have been a part of some really wonderful stories. Yesterday was one such time. My student Ansita has been helping me with Warm Regards since the day it started. When we got our first order and we wanted to recruit women, nobody knew where to start. We called Ansita and her sister Neha and together the two sisters, got us a room full of women, when we really only wanted five. Since then, Ansita has been part of most discussions and has been meeting the women and checking on them. On her own. She has not been instructed or asked to do any of this because of course, we adults think we can manage everything. The other day, one of the women shared with me how Ansita has been going around explaining the work and getting things for her so that she can finish the bedsheet that she has been working on. I was surprised. As a token of my appreciation, I wanted to give Ansita some money. She is responsible enough to use it wisely and also, I know she can save for some future needs.

To Cat or not to Cat!

I have played a huge role in adding additional 1.5 rooms in my house. For someone who scored extremely low in the spatial abilities' section of IQ tests, thats quite an achievement. It is also an achievement because everyone wanted the extra rooms but did not really know how to go about it. I had to rise above my strong reluctance in getting involved for the sake of those who really wanted to see the dream come true. Hence, I did it. I picked up the phone and got into conversations with the contractor, the supervisor, the workers and my family members and got everyone on the same page. Or room, if you like. I looked at my, very satisfied and happy, mother and declared that I deserved a gift for all that I got done. My mother, in her very powerful voice, asked me to tell her what I wanted. I seized the chance and said, “a cat”. She smiled and said, “go get it”. This 'permission' came with caveats. I had to take full responsibility of the little life- cleaning, potty t

Signs of Life

Nature has several lessons to teach me. Whenever I go to my plants with a question, there is almost always an answer waiting. It's like they read my mind and prepare to make me happy. The end of December to end of February was a very difficult time for me. I was struggling with some personal issues and nothing seemed too promising on the job front either. There were a lot of things I had invested my time, energy and resources in but nothing really seemed to pick up. ATC had slowed down and no ideas to revive it were convincing enough. Project and job offers came in plenty but none of them really caught my attention. My business was moving so slow that we could think it was almost shutting down even before it had started. There was a lull. At the same time, I sowed some seeds from my seed box, reluctantly - marigold, calendula, sunflower, carnation, bhindi, tomato, and even a fruit that we had in Sri Lanka- Nelli. I sowed jowar, basil and periwinkle. These were seeds I w

On Sugar Paper

Search This Blog