CROSSFIRE humans have to manage and determine how we change inwardly .
A pupa ? I desire to be one each year , every time . Looking at a pupa from the outside , it may seem like nothing is going on , but significant changes are happening inside . Special cells that were present in the larva are now increasing . They will become the legs , wings , eyes , and other parts of the adult butterfly .
Like the pupa , even if nothing may look like its changing and happening as we grow older , a lot needs to be happening on the inside . We determine the metamorphoses that should be happening inside ourselves . That is the growth that even money may not influence . And that ’ s the growth we should also be pursuing year on year .
This inward progress happens by setting personal goals to shed some weaknesses - anger , jealousy , dishonesty , greed , judgmental , pride , and many others - and seek to develop traits that make you a better person . Qualities that make you seek higher things . In Greek , “ Altiora Petamus .”
If a tiny insect can transform itself from a caterpillar that operates from the ground to something better that flies out there to seek higher things , why not us ? Most of us are in the
“ We are quickly baffled when faced with different problems or issues that money can ’ t solve . We desperately try to throw in more money into that problem “ with the hopes ” to extinguish it , but no amount of money is enough to fill some voids inside ourselves .”
caterpillar stage , eating and moving around enjoying material provisions , and our growth is stuck there . But it ’ s until we agree to hibernate in that pupa cocoon , in quiet , and purpose to grow from the inside that we will be able to fly out for higher things in life .
Let ’ s , therefore , desire to minimize those negative traits and seek positive ones . Peter , in 2 Peter 1:5 recommends that if you have faith , make every effort to add to your faith , goodness ; and to goodness , knowledge ; and to knowledge , selfcontrol ; and to self-control , perseverance ; and to perseverance , Godliness ; and to Godliness , mutual affection ; and to mutual affection , love .
Building these core strongholds inside ourselves requires embracing some common values . Peter also urges us to have them in increasing measure . That means we continually add values we don ’ t have and grow in each .
As we begin this new year , let us quiet ourselves and deeply look at how we have developed our insides to face the challenges and realities of life that money cannot solve . What you ultimately become is a result of your pursuit of outwardly visible material things , but who you become is a result of the elegance and beauty you radiate from the inside out . It ’ s what ’ s you ’ re continually building on your inner self that will finally make you fly higher like a butterfly to face adversaries and many other life issues with humility , wisdom , patience , love , and resilience . ■
Herman Githinji is a Management Consultant and a Director at Rhombus Ready Mix Concrete Company . You can commune with him on this and related issues via email on :
Hermangithinji @ gmail . com .