The Transformed Dragonfly

“Comfortably change flight patterns mid-air…”

I recently discovered this phrase about the symbolic meaning of dragonflies. Apparently they can represent humans who can do the above.

I am not sure how “comfortable” it was, but I can certainly relate to the other part of this statement, changing my (life’s) flight pattern mid-air.

 

A few weeks ago I received an email from Waxing Poetic, asking if I would like to receive one of their necklaces. I did not hesitate when I saw the simple, yet gorgeous Transformative Dragonfly Necklace.

 

 

“When flexibility and a fresh perspective are needed…”

I have been pretty darn flexible in the last couple of years and I am about to stretch some more (more about how at a later date). I definitely needed a “fresh perspective” a few times. Not only in starting anew, but also realizing every life has mid-air changes, and it is more about how we handle them than whether or not they are going to happen. Because they WILL happen.

A couple of years ago at this time, I felt like my wings had been clipped.  At the beginning of my separation and subsequent divorce, there was no flying. I was grounded (and not in a good way). I stayed in bed and cried a lot. I mourned what was supposed to be and now would never be. I missed my kids like crazy when they were first gone from me, spending time with their dad.

However, since then, I have grown and become much stronger, taking flight again. I got out of bed and took care of myself during those times when the kids were gone. I surrounded myself with loving and supportive people, including others who have gone through the same trials as myself, and bonded with people who can truly understand. And because I endured these difficult times, I am more resilient than I was before. Now I am set on a positive trajectory, and even though it may sound odd to say, I am thankful for those very trying times.

Sometimes we cannot find our way until we get out of your own way! For me, the last couple of years have been what I call a “grace period”, including much self-reflection and looking inward. I am so grateful for this part of my journey, used to discover things about myself, which I did not know or realize before. We think we know ourselves, however we usually come to know better once we go through something hard or tragic. When we have a loss or a big life event that takes us off course, I believe THEN we REALLY come to know who we truly are inside and what we can overcome.

What I also realized is flying is not actually that hard once you get off the ground, which can be the hardest part, especially when you’ve been conditioned to stay there.

Since my divorce I have had to teach myself to do things I did not know how to do before (hello toilet-plunging). I had to learn to love my whole self, scars and inadequacies included. I have faced BIG change, when it is not something I am typically comfortable with. I have had to trust again, people I have only known for a short time. I had to put myself out there and get a job, and “adult” in ways, that while beneficial in the long run, have also been hard at times.

I’m not saying any of this to garner extra kudos or admiration, I am only stating it so I can prove to myself how much I AM like a dragonfly, and therefore wear my new necklace with pride.

 

 

I would love to give another “dragonfly” one of these necklaces. Have you had to change flight patterns mid-air in your life, or know someone who has, and would like to give this to them as a gift? I would bet at least one of these is true!

If so, please go to my Instagram feed – @misselaine0375 and enter to win one of these lovely necklaces!