One of my favorite stories to tell when I teach is about butterflies. When a butterfly is changing and emerging from the cocoon, it struggles. It must really fight its way out. And it needs that struggle to grow strong enough to fly. In fact, if we were to see the butterfly struggling and they and help it, it would soon die because it would not have created the needed strength in its wings to be able to fly. We are the same. We try to avoid the struggles, the pain, the har

It may seem unlikely to find plants blooming and growing in an urban area. There is smog, lack of sunshine from the tall buildings and ground that is covered with concrete. Yet still, life finds a way to push through the cracks. You may feel like you are struggling with your growth, that the odds might be against you and that your dreams seem un-attainable. But they are not. This week, breath and dig deep. Summon up your strength and focus. Just like those plants, even when t