butterflies can’t see their own wings
– we often fail to recognize our own beauty and worth, though others that truly matter can
Oftentimes, we’ve struggled to see our own worth, much like a butterfly unaware of the beauty of its wings. We are so caught up with the noise of our lives – our flaws, insecurities, mistakes, the things we believe we’re missing – that we forget to acknowledge the radiance we hold, the unique qualities we embody, the ones that make us who we are.
We might seek validation from others, constantly comparing ourselves to others who we think are better than us, forgetting that true beauty lies in our individuality.
"The things that make me different are the things that make me, me." – Piglet, Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
This quote is a gentle reminder that our individual differences are what shape us to be better.
But just as the butterfly’s wings are beautifully intricate, designed to captivate the eyes of its viewers, we must remember that this reflects our own lives filled with unique traits, experiences, and strengths others can see, even if we can’t.
Sometimes, it's through the eyes of those that truly matter – our family, friends, the people we hold dear, or even strangers – that we begin to glimpse the enthralling beauty we often overlooked within ourselves.
Their admiration and recognition are what remind us that just like the butterfly, we have something special that we might not be able to see on our own.
All this – the fragments of what we see and don’t see within us — encapsulates the art of being human. In times when we don’t feel like ourselves, we have people who genuinely care, reminding us that we are more than our doubts, more than our flaws, and far more beautiful than we realize. Their words and actions mirror the radiance we fail to recognize within ourselves.
"You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful." – Amy Bloom
But it doesn't end there. While others are there to remind us of our worth, the most important realization comes from within.
We must learn to embrace our individuality, to celebrate our strengths and imperfections, and to trust that we are enough just as we are today, tomorrow, and the days after that.
Like a butterfly taking its flight, we must learn to let go of the constant need for validation and begin to see ourselves for who we truly are – unique, resilient, and extraordinary.
For in the end, the beauty of life lies not in perfection, but by the way we embrace our imperfections with grace – embodying the courage to trust in our wings, whether we can see them or not, and to soar with unwavering confidence that we are, and always have been, enough.
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world." – Dr. Seuss
