I was given a picture this week that has helped me understand my current situation. It was a picture of the pond life…complete habitat with fish and water lilies and an abundance of life – each organism taking its place fulfilling its function. In this habitat live some very interesting creatures…the tadpole, the frog, the caterpillar and the butterfly.

You might think you know how this picture goes…

Yes, the tadpole becomes the frog and the caterpillar becomes the butterfly but here’s the thing…they don’t necessarily leave their environment after the transformation. They continue to live in the same habitat but they take on a very different function and role in the ecosystem.

Let’s just think about the tadpole – he starts and lives his entire life – in the water. It’s normal is to live among the algae and the reeds swimming, feeding and living its life… But what about when the tadpole starts to develops its legs? The strange metamorphosis takes the tadpole on a strange journey…it goes from the familiarity of the water to growing limbs – strong limbs that can take it higher, and further than ever before!! No more wriggling around in the mud, the tadpole extends its territory to frog territory!!! No longer the bottom of the food chain, the frog becomes a hunter!

I realised this week…I have transformed out of my safe little pool…my horizons have expanded and the pond is no longer my only habitat. I can hop, skip, jump and travel further and faster than I have ever done before. The problem is…I keep thinking like a tadpole…trying to get my strong limbs to scrunch down to tadpole size to fit the tadpole life.

The problem is…it doesn’t work – a tadpole cannot do what a frog does, and the frog cannot go back to the tadpole life.

I don’t know when exactly I grew my legs, or when I crawled up on the bank, but as I survey my environment, I realise I was made for more than just the water’s edge. I have tried to stay within the socially accepted confines of the tadpole life in frog form…and I wonder why I don’t feel like I fit.

So, it’s time to say goodbye to the tadpole life. These strong legs aren’t created for wriggling…they were created for bounding…and there are quite a few lily pads I would like to explore with a topside view!!! I will always be grateful for the pool that gave me a safe place to grow…it has been my refuge and my safe place…but I don’t belong to just the pool anymore…

So, here’s to skipping lily pads and exploring a little further…I am looking forward to meeting some more like-minded frogs along the way…and maybe if I kiss the right one – my prince charming might appear! I’ll keep you posted!!