The Great Emperor Moth
On Reframing Failure
"The only way out – is through."
- Robert Frost
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
One day, a man found the delicate cocoon of an emperor moth. Intrigued by it, he decided to bring it home to watch the moth's transformation. Patiently, he observed as the moth inside struggled to break free from its cocoon. But then, something unexpected happened. The moth seemed to reach a point where its progress stopped. It appeared stuck, incapable of moving forward.
The man believed he could help the struggling creature. He grabbed a pair of scissors and carefully snipped away the remaining portion of the cocoon, freeing the moth effortlessly. However, as the moth emerged, the man noticed that its body was swollen and its wings were shriveled. He hoped that with time, the wings would expand, the body would naturally regain its intended shape, and the moth would fly. Sadly, this was not the case. The moth crawled around with a swollen body and useless wings, unable to take to the skies. It died just a few days later.
Unknowingly, this man’s well-intentioned but hasty act had robbed the emperor moth of a vital process. The struggle within the constricting cocoon was not in vain. It served a vital purpose … it forced the moth's body fluids into its wings, preparing them for flight after leaving its cocoon.
This story reminds us that in life, we sometimes struggle to reach our full potential. Without obstacles and challenges, our growth is stunted, leaving us weaker than we could have been. Each opportunity that comes our way should be embraced, for it is in these moments that we discover our true strength. Approach life with a mindset absent of regrets, understanding the power and wisdom gained through the struggles we face. Only then can we experience the true freedom and flight that await us.
"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor the person perfected without trials."
- Chinese Proverb
Connecting this quote to the story. Like the moth's struggle to emerge from the cocoon is essential for its development and ability to fly, so are trials and challenges necessary for personal growth.
This week’s Chasing Influence tip: It doesn’t always feel good, but losing makes us better— embrace losing as a tool to avoid it.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2023