We are all initially caterpillars. The development of one’s chrysalis can begin as early as age ten. At this point each respective caterpillar will undergo a series of changes that may be subtle and unmemorable. This development stage serves as a midway point between the stage of childhood and the glorious stage of adulthood or butterflydom. During this phase, the influences encountered can be ignored, if one’s cocoon is firmly shut, or accepted if one is willing to open oneself to the world around them. Regardless of which path is chosen , the developing individuals will be impacted by the decision for the remainder of their lives.

Some will develop reasons to stay within the safety of the cocoon that they have grown so accustomed to. One can burrow deeper into the waxy shield and develop many safeguards to prevent the opening of the cocoon. These individuals become shut off from the external world because of their irrational fear of maturation. This process is called thickening and some individuals see it as a successful process. I realize that it postpones the ethereal passage into butterflydom. I believe that it does this because I have encountered many individuals who have not developed the ability to place themselves in uncomfortable situations and overcome said situations. The inability to overcome is not something that is worthwhile because it serves the sole purpose of holding one back from testing and experiencing a full potential.

My cocoon is beginning to open. This realization came to me during my freshman year of high school as I was observing my classmates. In situations, I am able to react with a mature mindset and decisively choose the path to accomplish what is required of me. I also recognize that all interactions and ideas will contribute to my personality as a whole. However, the majority of my classmates are not yet at the maturity to break free from the protective encasement of their cocoons and, as a result, are not able to experience the world around them.

Occasionally I’ll attempt to thicken in an attempt to remove myself from uncomfortable situations. Situations where I feel that I am being thrust into a new environment are the most common scenarios for me to thicken. However,upon entering high school, I witnessed myself overriding my desire to thicken as i realized that I now needed to begin defining myself as a person. I filled numerous leadership roles and, most recently, was chosen to represent my high school as one of the delegates to Buckeye Boys state. This experience only increased the opening of my cocoon as I immediately decided I would interview for the position of Legislative Service Commission(LSC) , a role held by only six of the 1300 delegates. After being accepted into the LSC, I was promoted the next day to the position of assistant director of the LSC. Because of this experience, I believe that my cocoon is rapidly opening and I readily accepted the fact that the protective, secluded part of my life may soon be over.

College, where one is thrust into a situation requiring them to survive almost independently, seems like it will be the perfect place to ascend into butterflydom. Yet I also recognize that the college experience will be rampant with opportunities to thicken. I will not succumb to these opportunities, but I will break open my cocoon and finalize my growth and development into my full adulthood.

I realize both cocooned individuals and developed butterflies have a similarity: a desire to rhythmically return to a comfortable routine and limit changes. Also, while these next four years will be a new routine an entirely changed experience as I delve into new, intellectual territory, I will fully vacate my cocoon and place myself in the world to start my transcendence into butterflydom.