Formation and Transformation

Formation and transformation of self is the biggest challenge of life. As we grow through the different stages of life, we face the obstacles of developing naturally and normally. Naturally, by human standards, more by God’s standards and the need to fulfill the evolutionary pattern of a human life. Normally, also by human standards, but more by society’s standards and of which cultural influence of ethics, values and morals determine the dictation and definition of normal. Where do we even have a chance??

Each realization of self throughout these stages is scary; scary because of change-change that is not predictable, reliable or guaranteed. How are we supposed to identify with ourselves if we don’t even understand what is going on around us or with us?

When I hear formation, I think of play-do or legos or building blocks. Transformation reminds me of the Transformers cartoon/movie/toys. I remember playing with all these things as a child. I would love to build, create, manipulate the toys and of course, destroy my creations. Is that relative to what we do to ourselves as we grow throughout our lives? 

We work, create, manipulate our way through, have pride in our development and accomplishments and then destroy them? This can be taken in so many contexts…family, friends, work, school, travel, and relationships, essentially both personal and professional developments. Do we self-sabotage through our expectations and impressions of ourselves and those around us? What do our accomplishments actually consist of if we follow this pattern throughout our lives? Is it necessary so that we can continue to learn and grow? 

I think of the development of the butterfly. The various stages that a butterfly develops is a continuous monumental example of how each stage of our lives is a definition of who we have become up to that point, but not the final product of who we truly are. That is up to each of us individually. What we decide to take from each stage, each experience, each encounter, and how we relate to it. So many people limit who they are by labeling themselves as being a certain way, ‘That’s just how I am’, ‘That’s just how I’m built’ or 'That's the way I've always been' -but is that all you have to offer? Is that all that will become of you? Or is there more to you than what you ever imagined?...Are you up for the challenge?
We are the only ones that can decide who we are and what in our life defines us. 

Choose wisely.