Several years ago a friend of mine was involved in a volunteer program to help with the migration of Monarch butterflies. She was the first one to tell me that Monarch caterpillars rely solely on leaves from Milkweed plants – 20 or 30 leaves each, to be exact.
What I didn’t understand back then is that Monarch butterflies, once they’re butterflies, migrate thousands of miles. THOUSANDS! And no single butterfly completes the journey. One generation of butterflies starts the journey. Another generation of butterflies continues the journey. Then one more. And still another generation finishes it.
Each of these generations somehow knows where to go despite never having been to their final destination before.
Incredible!
We are often coached to be “finishers.” But the Monarch science shows that the middle generations are the most vital endurance workers.
The first generations are not failures because they don’t reach the final destination; they are the very reason the last generation succeeds.
If we feel like our lives are currently full of open loops or unfinished starts, we aren’t necessarily failing. We might simply be a “Generation Two” or “Generation Three” version of ourselves. We are doing essential work so that a future version of us can have what it needs to finish.
And maybe instead of asking, “Why haven’t I arrived yet?,” we could ask, “How am I sustaining the flight?”
Here is what sustaining the flight might look like:
- Locate Today’s “Milkweed” – identify immediate sustenance.
Instead of asking, “When will I arrive?” ask, “What is the one thing in my current situation that can fuel me today, something that can provide energy for the next few miles?”
- Follow the “inherited” map – realize you are not flying blind.
Look back at a memory of watching someone you admire handle something hard. When the middle season feels heavy, ask: “What did I see them do that I can mirror right now?” Use what you learned from them as part of your current navigation.
- Celebrate the relay – acknowledge the phase you’re in.
What small victory can you recognize today that helps you see you’re still moving? Progress in the middle part often looks quieter than we expect. Sometimes sustaining the flight is the accomplishment.
I can’t wait to hear how you’re sustaining the middle part of your flight – and if you need a bit of guidance, I’d love to help.
PS To learn about being a Milkweed Waystation, you can find information here: https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations/
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