As you will read in more detail shortly, one afternoon, while flipping through a mini-course catalog from our local community college, I noticed a program titled “How to Raise Monarch Butterflies.” It caught me by surprise. How DO you RAISE Monarch butterflies? It seemed like such a weird concept to me. At a time in my life when I struggled to get out of bed, seeing this program description unearthed a sense of wonder within me that I couldn’t even comprehend. It had been forever since I’d felt that kind of curiosity. What I didn’t know at the time was that the Monarch would quietly and magically lead me to a place of wonder, contemplating whether I, too, had that spark of magic instilled in me.
The magic that allowed an egg, the size of the tip of a pencil, to grow into a caterpillar and then a beautiful butterfly with the capacity to fly up to 2,800 miles. With every caterpillar that emerged, I was led deeper into my why, ultimately resurrecting a long-suppressed calling and passion I’d personally held for serving others.
I had no idea how that two-hour mini-class would change my life. Since then, I have released at least 100 Monarch butterflies each summer. I have taught others at two local colleges, various garden clubs, grade schools, libraries, and nursing homes how to raise Monarch butterflies. At least a dozen times each summer, someone thanks me for connecting them to the magic of the Monarch. In February 2017, I was blessed to visit Michoacán, Mexico, to immerse myself in the wintering home of the Monarchs. It was a life-changing adventure. You will learn more about that trip in Chapter 15.
I have been blessed to coach others to find their metaphorical wings and fly as well. They include Eddie, who yearned to be a professional bass fisherman, and Jeanne, who desperately wanted to live a life she loved. I worked with Erica and Robyn, who were sick and tired of their business after 25 years and needed a new perspective, Kim, who just wanted to begin to love herself; and Katie, who wanted to hike the Camino de Santiago. I’ve gotten to speak to so many people to help them shift and grow through my speaking programs.
My community has also embraced the Monarch as a Monarch City USA, with murals and even our Welcome to Zion signs touting the Monarch. We even host a huge Zinnia and Monarch Festival on the third weekend in August each year. (ZinniaAndMonarchFestival.com)
The real change has taken place on my inside, as you will see as you continue. As you read, I hope and pray these pages help you to tap into the same power that was gifted to the caterpillars to find their wings. My goal is for this book to help you find YOUR wings and soar beyond your wildest dreams.
The following messages I share in the chapters ahead are what I have heard whispered to me by the Monarchs. I have personally lived them as I struggled to find my own flight path. I hope they inspire you as much as they have me.
FYI, This is a spiritual – not a religious book – of sorts. Let me share something about me so you can hopefully understand where I’m coming from in the following pages as you begin this journey with me and the Monarchs.
