A few years ago I sat in a chair under the needle of a skilled artist. It was a time of heart-wrenching change and upheaval. Every day I carried deep heartache, as well as both the fear and wonder of stepping into something new. Hope was timidly peeking through, but I needed encouragement. I chose the image of a gorgeous butterfly and had it tattooed on my arm where it was an ever-present message that like the butterfly, beauty would come from this change. I may hide from the world and turn into unrecognizable goo (the state I currently felt I was in), and I may rebuild into a form I’d never before experienced, but after braving the slow arduous work of shedding the cocoon, and after the careful unfurling of my wings, someday there would be beauty again.

Change is hard. Healing is hard. Hoping is hard. Knowing ourselves and loving ourselves and always knowing and choosing to do what’s best instead of what’s easiest is hard. One of my favorite people, Glennon Doyle Melton, says “We can do hard things,” but we shouldn’t have to do them alone. I have been blessed with so many good people of both the personal and professional varieties who have stood with me and encouraged me and taught me and comforted me through times of difficulty and change. And now I’m privileged to be able to do this work with others.

My intention for Metamorphosis is that we can experience together the transformative power of connection and partnership. Through the cocooning and the goo, the rebuilding, the shedding  and unfurling, and finally the beauty.