A Caterpillar in a Jar

I was reading this little book my husband gave me years ago. It's one of those little 3"x3" fun books and it's called "Really important stuff my kids have taught me". It's full of little comments, or words, that just remind us that life is simple and we should enjoy it.

I read one this morning that says, "Even if you make a really nice place for it to live, with grass and dirt and a few rocks and sticks, the caterpillar will still spend all its time trying to get out of the jar."

That one really struck a cord in me. Have you ever been that caterpillar? Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you know is wonderful, but you'd do anything to get out?

I found myself there a few years ago. I had a very nice life, everything I had ever expected it to be, and I found myself so frustrated I could scream. I didn't know what was wrong, there wasn't any one thing I could point to and say that thing was a problem. I couldn't even say my life was a problem. I was just frustrated.

As so often happens, a book kept popping up in my face. So I read it, actually I devoured it. And when I was done I knew what was wrong - I was a caterpillar in a jar. (Okay, I didn't say caterpillar because I didn't have that analogy until this morning. Same feeling though.)

I was living a very nice life, with some nice leaves and twigs around me, but that wasn't where I was meant to live.

I made a choice right there. I chose to devise an escape plan. I chose a new goal for my life, picked a path and began walking down it. It's been twisty and curvy as I learned my way around, but I am out of the jar - and it gave me room to turn into the butterfly I was meant to be. And that gives me joy.

What butterfly were you meant to be? Are you on your way, or are you living in a jar?