The Journey

What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.

— Richard Bach

There are times in our lives when we create stories about why we cannot live lives filled with love, joy and abundance. No matter what direction your life is taking, there is no right or wrong. Each and every one of us living on the incredible planet we call Earth is here to learn some amazing lessons. From the day we are born, we are learning and growing — not just in the physical form but also the metaphysical. Many of us are still caterpillars, whilst others are butterflies.

When I was a little girl, my beautiful mother would always tell me the story about how caterpillars transform into butterflies. When I was that little girl, sitting on my mother's warm and welcoming lap, absorbing the wisdom she so freely shared, to my ears it was only a magical story. Then one day, whilst sitting back at school and observing what was happening around me in the playground, my mother's magical story began to play out in front of me. The penny dropped, and I let my walls down. Guards and limiting stories were holding me back from showing the world who I really am.

Science tells us that when the caterpillar enters the stage of chrysalis, the body disintegrates to form the new body of the butterfly. In this magical transformation, the old dies, and the new is born. The butterfly begins its journey to break free from its cocoon, and spread its wings and reach new heights. This is a very important and difficult stage for the butterfly. Its freedom does not happen easily. The butterfly must struggle. To exit the cocoon without this struggle, its beautiful coloured wings would not be strong enough to allow it to fly.

This is the same for many children, teenagers and adults. Metaphorically speaking, you are in the caterpillar stage of your life, realising that it is time for the old to die and the new to be born. It is not too early or late for our lifetime to truly start. We begin to take the appropriate steps, one at a time, to find our inner truth.

I was only ten when I started to challenge my beliefs, my family's beliefs, and the beliefs that society dictated. I know deep down that most souls I cross paths with are on a direction that does not feel right. I never judged any of them and I continue not to. Instead, I made a promise that I would stay true to myself so one day I may inspire my friends, family and all souls that I connect with.

My journey in early primary school was a struggle, and within this struggle, I learnt many important lessons, as well as much wisdom and knowledge. I could have chosen to give up on my struggle because it was simply just too difficult and painful. By doing so, we keep creating the exact same difficult and painful story- or I could go in the direction of experiencing the struggle, allowing myself to feel the emotions. By feeling the emotions instead of playing them in my mind, I was able to see the truth and become more aware.

It was in that exact moment when I let go of all the words repeating in my head, which only created and contributed to my story. I simply stood there and I began to see through everyone. I could see their fears and insecurities and knew why they chose their actions. In that moment I became the large, beautiful butterfly I am today.

I want to share with you the tools I learnt from my mother and other outstanding spiritual teachers so you too can begin your transformation. My goal is to speak out to all the kids and teens out there. We are the future; it is up to us how our lives and world will be in the future. With so much fear, anger and ego in the world, today, our future does not look too great. Thus, if we join hands and create change together, one step at a time, beginning to fall in love with ourselves first so that we may love others, then we may spread unconditional love in our homes, schools, and community.

Then our future will be safe.

The Reason

Look around you. What do you see? Look at the people around you. What do their actions tell you about them? You see young souls doing everything in their power to fit in, even if the consequences are horrible. The number of youth experimenting with drugs and sexual activities is increasing and obesity is moving up the scale to a dangerously unhealthy high. Depression and anxiety are affecting many children and teens, and this is alarming. Twenty years ago, if you asked a thirteen-year-old if he or she felt depressed, most likely, the answer would have been, "No way."

Today, this is a very different story, as most would tell you they have at some point experienced the horrible emotions of anxiety and depression. I found myself constantly asking, "Why?" Life, from what my parents tell me, is so much better and easier in the twenty-first century than it was thirty or fifty years ago, so why the increase in depression, anxiety, obesity, and lack of spark in our youths' eyes? Well, I believe it comes down to four very important concerns that need to be met whilst we are here on earth:

1. feeling love

2. feeling significant

3. feeling safe

4. feeling free

All you need to do is open up just one of your social media accounts and pay attention to what the youth are trying to tell the world. The sad thing is that most are playing this game on a subconscious level, not realising the devastating consequences. Most accounts of young boys and girls scream out the very same thing: "Look at me! Pay attention to me! I'm trying very hard to fit in." But why are they trying to fit in?

When God created the universe, and placed all our amazing, bright stars in our sky, he did not tell them to dim their light. Instead, he told them to shine their bright light because they're God's creation and the mirror reflection of God: perfect in every way.

You are the creation of God. This makes you his reflection, so stop trying to fit in because you were created to stand out, and shine perfectly like a flawless diamond.

From an extremely young age, I was surrounded by very positive influences and — let's be truthful — some negative ones too, but I love them just as much as the positive ones because they helped build the resilience in me that I carry with pride today.

My biggest role model is my amazing mum. Well, where do I begin? I nicknamed her "Goldberg", after the mum from "The Goldberg's" series, because they are exactly the same: continuously giving love, energy and life to their children. She gets involved with everything, waits eagerly to pick my brother and I up from school, and wants to get straight into how our day was: what happened, who we spoke with, what new things we learnt and so on. But, the truth is, I would not have it any other way. As much as she doesn't like to hear it, she will always be my Goldberg. Although, there is a more interesting side to my mother. I have over the years seen what her fulfilling work has done for many souls. From children to grandparents, she has inspired and helped many, whether it's been one on one in her practice, attending her classes, or buying her book. I see the legacy she is leaving for us, and I am ready to join her.

I remember getting into our car and there would be no music playing. Instead, we listened to the craziest, most...