Life Is Like a Butterfly

Some people in life believe failure is the root of success. That’s one thought; I usually have many experiences in my life. I've had my share of personal and successful failures over the years. I remind myself; things happen for a reason.

“Life Is Like a Butterfly”

 One time in particular; I remember the second semester in mid-grade. On my first day of school, I noticed most of my friends were in the same classroom as me and my brother. As we chatted amongst one another about “All things from Under the Sun” However, we all did not realize Ms. Tilman was known as the strictest teacher at American Academy. As Ms. Tilman scrutinized each one of us with a monotone voice that said, “I need all students to have a seat and lower your voice”. We all honored her demand but continued to chatter.

Suddenly Ms. Tilman transformed into a lion with a loud mean roar. Each one of us sat straight in our seats quickly at attention. That’s when I realized the same class with friends and relatives will be a huge distraction. I knew that would be a challenge; I would have to face daily. So, my only option was to find a solution. As I sit and ponder, “Life Is Like a Butterfly” do not let anyone destroy your dreams.

My brother did not focus on his work as well. He required extra time and attention. All the young girls liked him in class. He didn’t like school or cared for his teachers in the past. My mother always fussed at him about his homework; otherwise, he would not have done well in school. Thinking back, it’s funny how she kicks the door down to wake him up for school. My mother always said, “Be Open to Change and Be Willing to Transform because, without change, nothing beautiful would happen as well as giving up who you are to become who you might be”. “Life Is Like a Butterfly”

Interacting with friends and relatives at school kept me unfocused. I did not focus on the most important things. However, these distractions for a straight-A student became a severe challenge. So, I would try to separate myself, I knew my mother will give me a long lecture from Arkansas to China.

In the middle of the semester on a late Tuesday evening, she received an email concerning grades. Shortly after the email, she stated “Next semester you will attend another school with no friends nor family. That will eliminate the problem”. That semester I needed major academic improvement. I knew my mother was disappointed. She decided to punish me and take away all things I utilize in my spare time.

It wasn’t successful to block every distraction in Ms. Tilman’s class. Before the next semester, all grades had progressed, but my mother did not want me to attend American Academy anymore. The fact of starting over again to transfer to another school became overwhelming. Only thoughts going through my mind; how hard it would be to start over again and transition to a new school. Even though I distance myself from friends and certain family; I will have a chance to call and interact a little bit. As my mother always said, “You are exactly where you are meant to be, Tanya. Have faith in the universe’s big plans for you”. “Life Is Like a Butterfly”

My mother and I are extremely close and talk daily. On a boring Saturday night in the family room, I asked my mother. How? did you become so structured to make positive life decisions? She gazed into my eyes and said “You know Chile! Your grandfather served in World War I and your grandmother was mean for many reasons. Being one out of twelve siblings under one roof they had no choice but to jump out of trees, bushes, and helicopters to discipline us”. We both laughed!

My mother encouraged both of her children with wise words toward a brighter future. She did not want either of her children to follow foot’s steps of certain close relatives, who sits on the porch in a chair swinging their feet back and forward saying to themselves “I’m sick of following my dreams, Man. I’m just going to ask where they’re going and hook up with ‘them later” while setting fire to all bills. Lows bring highs, lessons bring Blessings, and setbacks bring comebacks. “Life Is Like a Butterfly”

As the years passed from becoming a teenager to an adult, my mindset transformed like a butterfly. To this day I am a firm believer in “Never mix business with pleasure”. Transforming into a Butterfly inspired me in so many ways. It teaches me about change, and even though it might have been a long journey and process, it guides me to amazing results. Also, it teaches me about the importance of letting go of the old to embrace the new which helped me understand the value of patience, perseverance, and growth.

My mother’s lecture of wise words helped me to instill greatness within myself and my eight-year-old son named William. He’s the little boy who holds my heart and calls me mom. William is not just a son to me; He is my life, my soul, my heart, my everything, and most of all the reason for my existence. I want him to always believe in himself as much as I believe in him. My role as a parent will knowledge him, like my mother.

I will always tell him; “when life tries to knock you down, I will always have your back and always remember; you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. I want you to believe deep in your heart that you can achieve anything you put your mind too. You will never lose, you either win or learn just go forth and aim for the skies”. “Life Is Like a Butterfly”

I realized to become as gracious and beautiful as a butterfly; I must first have optimism, be open to change, believe in myself, be my own leader, and have faith and patience to wait for what life has in store for me without giving up. I want to remain that butterfly who transformed from a caterpillar and float away with confidence, Independence, brightness, strongness, choice, wisdom, uniqueness, and obedience into a prosperous future. “Life Is Like a Butterfly”