Be a Butterfly—by Sharing Your Truth

We all know that the transformation from a caterpillar into a butterfly is beautiful, not to mention miraculous.

But the waiting period inside the cocoon can be dark, painful, treacherous, and seemingly endless.

Right now, I know you can identify a place—or several places—in your life that makes you feel stuck in that uncomfortable transitional phase between “I’m done with this” and “I don’t know if I’m quite ready for that.”

You’re a woman who’s lived a thousand different lifetimes wrapped up in one. Ugly breakups, powerful breakthroughs, and all the times you’ve picked yourself up by the bootstraps and powered on have proven that you are so over playing small and toning down your power, brilliance, and general kickassery.

You’re ready to join the big leagues…but still…you can only seem to shuffle along, tentatively placing one foot before the next…desperately searching for a reassurance that never seems to come.

I know what you’re thinking.

“Who the hell am I to call myself powerful?”

“Maybe the last victory was a fluke.”

“Maybe I can’t do this.”

“Maybe I just don’t have what it takes.”

Sweetie, that kind of neither-here-nor-there dance between going for it and saying “there’s no way” is nobody’s idea of a good time. Limbo is a hellish place to be, which is why I’m giving you a ticket out of it!

Like so many bold, brave women I know, your heart is in the right place—but your head hasn’t caught up. Imposter syndrome keep you spinning in hypothetical worst-case scenarios and insecurities about what you have to offer.

I’m here to tell you that what you have to offer is so simple yet so profound.

It’s your truth. The message that lives and breathes inside you—and that’s ready to be shared with the world.

I’ve learned that the most immediate path to connecting with your truth is through your stories.

And I’m not talking fairy-tale rags-to-riches types of stories. I’m talking the everyday magic that makes you who you are. The loves, the losses, the detours and wrong turns, and even the stuff that even kind of embarrasses you.

It’s all welcome. Or, to be more accurate, it’s all necessary.

I created my upcoming retreat, Courageous Truthtelling: A Workshop for Women to Embrace Our Stories and Voices, because I’ve witnessed miracles when women give up their caterpillar identities and step into the butterfly phase of living from the inside out.

In other words, letting their truth lead the way.

Join me at the beautiful, world-renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Western Massachusetts, from September 6 to 8, for the unforgettable experience of claiming your truth and stories—and finally taking that leap into the life of your dreams.

Baby, if you got this far, I know you’re ready to come out of that cocoon—and finally soar.

And for an intimate look into how our retreats have changed women’s lives and propelled them headfirst into their dreams, check out our special retreat video here.

See you in Western Massachusetts!

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About the Author | Kelly McNelis

Kelly McNelis is the founder of global community, Women for One, a speaker, coach, facilitator, and bestselling author of Your Messy Brilliance: 7 Tools for the Perfectly Imperfect Woman. With more than 25 years of experience as a nonprofit and small-business consultant, Kelly empowers generations of women around the world to build the relationships, community, and confidence they need to achieve their wildest dreams. She finds daily inspiration in spending time with her husband and children in her home outside of Seattle.

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1 comment to "Be a Butterfly—by Sharing Your Truth"

  • Rose

    You’re right! I have a truth to tell, in fact, many and worthy truths to tell. I know deep down, my stories from my life experiences and trauma can and will serve to possibly inspire others. Thank you for this inspiration and encouragement to write and share my story! It’s a new, amateur, scary, exciting, nail-biting beginning to writing to inspire others. It’s also for my own personal healing. Thank you, again, for helping me “light a fire” inside and decide that sharing my story is okay, safe, good, healing, and can help others do the same. Now I’m going to go “Be a Butterfly”.