It is AMAZING what we as writers/bloggers can take from a picture. For instance, this one here, with a tiger cub and a butterfly. “Strength of a Tiger, Spirit of a Butterfly.”
When I think about strength I usually think of inner strength. I know I talk about it a lot, but as a survivor, it is something I had to remind myself of very often. Even today, with different life situations. Physical strength can only get you but so far. But inner strength, that is something that goes unmeasured. Once you tap into that; there is no stopping you. Once your mind is set and made up you will do what you need to do to achieve it at all costs. In the featured picture, when I look at the red eyes, to me it symbolizes the inner strength wakening inside of us.
One of the most amazing things about inner strength, is that even in your weakest state, even when you are at the end of your rope; that inner strength is there waiting for you. It waits for you to search for it, it waits for you to reach deep down inside for you to grab hold of it; because in order to activate it, you have to acknowledge it. When activated, it is like a roar that is at a decibel that only you can hear; just like an actual tiger, the roar is only in a frequency that cannot be heard by all. and it is when you hear it and acknowledge it, that you see you can make it. You will survive it. You will achieve it. You will accomplish it. Whatever that “it” may be.
Since I blog through the eyes of a survivor; I personally know that I had to have the strength of a tiger in order to make it out of my abusive relationship. Was I afraid? Of course! But it was that inner strength that still overshadowed that fear. It was that strength, that kept telling me “You cannot stay here.” The Strength of a Tiger, had awaken. The strength that at one point I thought had disappeared. It never left, it never does leave. It just lays dormant. Waiting for you to unleash it.
While having the strength of a tiger, it is important to remember to have the spirit of a butterfly. While we are stronger than we may think. We also have this gentle, kind and carefree spirit. The butterfly symbolizes transformation. So while, we needed the strength of a tiger to overcome our caterpillar state; since for some of us we may have had to literally crawl on our bellies just to make it out or pretty damn close to it. We are now at a point of transformation. Do not rush the cocoon process. This is the healing process. Once in the cocoon you are leaving everything you have once known behind. Embrace your transformation, where you will embark on a new journey. We now turn into this beautiful butterfly transforming into the person we are today. This carefree animal, who lives life with a beautiful purpose. We all have a specific purpose in life, and during your cocoon experience is where you will find it. The butterfly also symbolizes beauty. As it travels from flower to flower they continuously spread beauty where they go. So we too, shall spread our beauty wherever we go.
***Side note*** Coincidentally, my two favorite animals have always been the tiger and the butterfly for as long as I can remember. I had no idea that I would ever write a blog containing the two. Like I mentioned in the beginning, as a writer and blogger it amazes me at what we can see and be inspired by. Isn’t it?