Tasha sat in a quiet corner of the library, watching a butterfly struggle against the windowpane. Its wings beat softly, again and again, trying to reach the sky just beyond the glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She knew that feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had spent years contorting herself\u2014at school, in relationships, even in spiritual circles\u2014trying to be who others expected her to be. And still, something inside her felt trapped behind invisible walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An older woman nearby noticed the butterfly and Tasha\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat butterfly,\u201d she said gently, \u201creminds me of a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tasha looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was once a man who saw a butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon,\u201d the woman continued. \u201cMoved by kindness, he snipped it open. The butterfly emerged easily\u2026 but it never flew. You see, the struggle was what pushed life into its wings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tasha nodded slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou too are building your wings,\u201d the woman added, with a kind smile. \u201cYour struggle isn\u2019t punishment. It\u2019s power being born.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just then, a breeze opened the window. The butterfly, finally finding a gap, flew into the light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And so did Tasha\u2014in her heart, and eventually, in her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because sometimes, all it takes is knowing you were never meant to stay small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You were meant to fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n