Last month, I gave my coaching group the assignment of writing their own eulogy. At the core, this assignment was designed to help them gain clarity about what is really important to them in life. What follows is the one I wrote for myself. I feel blessed to be able to share it with you while I’m still here to share it in person. I’d love to hear your comments and encourage you to consider writing your own eulogy too. The experience was very powerful.
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly…”
That saying has hung on my refrigerator for as long as I can remember and I believe it with all my heart and soul. Now, I’m asking you to believe it about me. I am the butterfly! One of my favorite teachers, Eckhart Tolle says, “that while death is the opposite of birth, it is not the opposite of life. Life has no opposite. Life is eternal.” I, just like you, am life. I am eternal. I’ve merely switched forms.
In 2011 I took the time to write my personal declaration. It became the cornerstone upon which I built and lived my life. I’d like to share a portion of that declaration; it reads:
“I am Love personified.
I radiate the light of love that was given to me from our Creator. I express myself daily as a vibrant example of love uncovered. My brilliance is dazzling! I love myself and I love you without judgment or conditions. I am a unique expression of creation and I share my Truth freely while honoring your unique expression and your Truth. I forgive myself and others easily. I am whole while at the same time being part of the greater whole.
I am a teacher and a student. I teach people to live from their hearts and to uncover their love so that it is accessible to themselves and others. I am open to learning new life lessons, to expanding my knowledge and to growing my capacity to love.
I am confident. I play the game of life full out. I play by my own rules, the ones I know are best for me, and encourage others to do the same.
I am living my God given purpose.
I AM LOVE PERSONIFIED!”
These words are no less true today . This is still me. I am just no longer a caterpillar. I am a butterfly!
As a caterpillar, I was truly among the blessed. First, I was blessed with an amazing family. My parents and my brother provided me with the perfect environment to grow into the caterpillar I was destined to be. Then I met my amazing husband, Bill, who inched along with me, and together we built an amazing life which included two wonderful children, Kayla and Helena who are now inching along on their own paths. Being a caterpillar sure was fun, but inching along now seems a little overrated as compared to flying.
So today, I ask that you don’t mourn the death of the caterpillar, but rather celebrate the birth of the butterfly.
And as a wise young woman once said to me. “Life (of a caterpillar) (— I put that part in 🙂 is hard, do your work. You know what your work is, so go get to it!
Today’s author: Laura Hall is an iPEC certified life coach who believes every woman deserves a coach. She offers both one on one as well as group coaching services. She can be reached at [email protected] or check out her website at www.hallcoaching.com