Butterfly Rising Productions, LLC

Introduction

  

"Kathy the IronButterfly" is the on-mission symbolic identity of my higher self. It is representative of my own personal journey of transformation - the challenges, struggles and darkness in my life path that I had to overcome and RiseUP  from. It is also the moniker ​I use in producing the original written works of IronButterfly Wisdom.

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IronButterfly Wisdom (IBW) is a division of Butterfly Rising Productions, LLC that includes various compilations of writings to encourage others to reflect, explore, grow and riseUP to greater heights of self and success. Ultimately, to serve something greater than self.

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From Broken to Whole. Wounded to Warrior. Caterpillar to Butterfly. This is my story . . .

   
The Making of an IronButterfly 

                    

Birth of the IronButterfly had its humble beginnings that took form in 2006 when a major life-altering event occurred. It was one that came unexpectedly and without warning. I suddenly found myself lost and alone in a dark abyss of the unknown.

When I was only 10 years old, my older brother and only sibling died from cancer. For years, I truly believed that devastation, the fallout it left behind and the personal hell I had to overcome would be the worst thing I would ever experience in this life. Little did I know what else would be coming further down the road of my life path that would also try to destroy me.  

 

On January 12th of 2006, a betrayal that goes beyond words was exposed. Everything I had believed about my life with certainty for the last nineteen years came into question. After succumbing to the shock and despair, I realized there was an important choice to be made. Give up and end this life, continue to crawl and trudge through it as a victim or find a way to riseUP  out of the darkness to become a victor.

 

As I tried to put the shattered pieces of what was left of me and my life back together, I set forth on a quest to seek truth, knowledge, wisdom and greater understanding. It was accompanied by a resolute refusal to give up despite the intense emotional pain, devastating losses and vast darkness of the unknown that my life had become. I pondered the possibility that there might be some kind of a bigger picture; a reason, a purpose. A greater understanding at a higher level that would bring things into focus and make sense out of this experience called life.
 

I started each day not knowing how I would even manage to make it through the next hour. Every minute and every breath felt like an eternity of suffering. In a moment of reflection, I realized that just because I couldn’t see, touch, or explain something didn’t mean that it was not in existence. So, I opened my mind to the possibility of something greater than what I thought I already knew. That there might in fact be a bigger picture and purpose for life, the hardships and the painful experiences. I was determined to find out whether it existed and what it is.
 

While on the journey, I did in fact discover an immeasurable amount of truth, knowledge and greater understanding that ultimately led to wisdom. It developed a new-found strength (the iron) combined with being made anew (butterfly) that released me from the grips of darkness of my past. I refused to allow the wrongdoings of others or difficulties of the past to rob the joy, peace and purpose of my future.

The Transformation Begins

   

 Everything began to change the moment I began seeking answers with an open mind to the possibility of something greater than what I already thought I knew. This willingness to get out of my own way coupled with a genuine desire to seek the highest truth and receive it led me on an amazing journey. I stopped having to keep crawling through this life, because I learned how to fly.
 

Invaluable insights, growth lessons and life tools were gained through this transformation process that I refer to as an "Evolution of Self." It was just as the caterpillar evolves into a butterfly; it starts out crawling through life until it transforms to discover the gift and freedom of flight. Growth and change do not occur without effort. Divine intervention does not occur without human interaction. Each of us has a responsibility of self to heal, grow, discover the best of what we were meant to be and live our highest self to fulfill our purpose. Yes, we all have one! 

In 2009 I accepted the higher calling and personal mission to help others by sharing the wisdom gained on my quest for truth, knowledge and greater understanding. This mission became known as "IronButterfly Wisdom." Sharing the lessons of how to live, learn, grow, fly and riseUP!  It is my heartfelt desire and mission to reach out to others. To be a guiding light in the darkness and help people riseUP out of it.

As a writer, transformational life coach and spiritual sister in arms - it is not only a joy, but an honor to share this gift and journey with all of you.

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From Caterpillar-to-Butterfly

 

The caterpillar-to-butterfly concept serves as a central theme for "Butterfly Rising Productions" due to its representation of growth, change and rebirth— resulting in immense beauty with the remarkable gift and new freedom of flight. 

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Each battle fought and won throughout life results in the vibrant colors, markings and stripes of courage that adorn our newfound wings. When we encounter difficult challenges, it is not meant for our harm, but for our growth. Obstacles in life are not hindrances, they arrive as opportunities to push our existing limits so that we can learn and grow.

 

We aren't meant to just grow up and grow old. Our purpose is far greater. We are meant to grow wise. To gain truth, knowledge and greater understanding not just for ourselves, but to better the lives of others.

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The “Caterpillar Phase” is when we crawl around day in and day out merely existing. Obstacles in our path are huge and difficult to overcome in our crawling state and caterpillar mindset. We often get stuck in the muck of life. 

The “Cocoon Phase” is the transformation and learning process. During this time, we are confined by our existing knowledge. There is an undesired sense of discomfort and fear in the unfamiliar as we are challenged to grow, change and journey into the unknown.

The “Butterfly Phase” is the state of freedom resulting from of our willingness to evolve from our current state and limited mindset. To live, learn, grow, fly and riseUP is to be transformed by change.

When we try to deny, run or hide from the pain and struggles of life or our past, we only become a prisoner to it. We are stuck reliving the misery in different forms with different faces and places, but still cannot move forward. There is no way around the pain and struggles of life, we must grow, develop and learn ways of how to break through it.

When we choose to embrace difficulties, obstacles and challenges (seeing them as an opportunity for our growth), it brings light into those dark places. Darkness dissipates when exposed to light. Light and darkness cannot exist in the same space.

It is in the willingness to take on the struggle, heal and participate in the process of transformation that develops the strength we need to be set free. Through increased knowledge we can learn how to escape the prison walls of limiting beliefs that were holding us back in life. Just as it is with the caterpillar transforming into a butterfly - there is a fight and struggle to leave the cocoon and experience freedom from the darkness. It is the individual fight to get out of the cocoon that actually builds the necessary strength in the butterfly's wings which enables it to riseUP and take flight.

When we resist or refuse change, we can get way too comfortable in our cocoon that feels like a safe place. However, if we don't have a want and willingness to grow and experience our full potential we end up with undeveloped or weak wings. Wings without strength leaves us stuck where we are; left to wither away in a place of frustration, unhappiness and unfilled destiny. As a butterfly, we are no longer meant to crawl. It's time to fly! 

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Growth and change are often difficult and at times very painful. Life presents each of us experiences that are good, bad and indifferent. Regardless, every experience provides an opportunity to learn something new - to live, learn, grow and fly. Struggles, challenges and obstacles are the kind of opportunities that exercise our wings to develop strength as we find ways to manage, overcome and ultimately, riseUP.
 

Every time we discover how to use our wings (riseUP) and share our light (shine on), we become victors instead of being victims of circumstances. It is then, we gain a mastery of self and ability to live a fulfilled and happy life. And, it is then, we need to pay it forward by sharing our light in this world to bring love, hope and healing to help others find their way.

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RiseUP and shine on, my friends!
 

With much love, light and appreciation to all,
Kathy the IronButterfly