My Dragonfly Moment: A Timeless Message of Transformation

In late summer, I was fortunate to spend several days “up north” as Minnesotans like to say, enjoying the beauty of the northern Minnesota landscape with my hubby and my brother-in-law and sister who were visiting from out east.

We were walking along Lake Superior when we saw a massive swarm of dragonflies buzzing all around us. While I was in awe of this incredible display of nature, my sister – who’s open to diverse spiritual experiences – was quick to identify the dragonflies as a divine intervention in our day. She suggested the swarm was a direct calling from above reminding us to?slow down and open ourselves up to change and transformation.?

My initial reaction was “What are you talking about?” But the presence of the dragonflies – and the way they seemed to hang with us – ultimately stopped me in my tracks. I sat with my sister’s words and embraced the possibilities carried by all those gossamer wings, flying together like a drifting cloud.?

I was brought back to one of my favorite songs as a sixteen-year-old. It was 1984 and Deniece WillIams’ “Black Butterfly” peaked at #22 on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart. I was a sophomore in high school, and it was a time of transition in my life. That song was a balm to my soul. It strengthened me then, and the lyrics came flooding back to me as I watched the dragonflies:?

"Let the current lift your heart and send it soaring

Write your timeless message clear across the skies

So that all of us can read it and remember when we need it

That a dream conceived in truth can never die"

Powerful, right? After the swarm had dispersed, I kept thinking about our “dragonfly moment” and what it meant. So I decided to do a little research and learned that “swarm migrations” of dragonflies are a rare sighting. So much so that an organization called?The Migratory Dragonfly Partnership ?encourages citizens to report sightings to advance human understanding of dragonfly migration in North America.

I also discovered that in almost every part of the world, the dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. It made me think about transformation in all the seasons and stages of our lives. How we as human beings learn, grow and change course as we navigate the journey of life. Sometimes it happens naturally through our lived experiences and wisdom gained over time. And sometimes events necessitate our transformation, much like how the pandemic forced us all to live, work, play, learn and communicate differently.

Here are four lessons I’ve learned that have helped me maintain a growth mindset during seasons of transition in my life:?

1.????Change of place + change of space = change in perspective. I heard this equation during a recent offsite with my boss and peers. There is great value in its simplicity. When we change our location – and how we engage – we can look at what we do and how we do it to gain fresh perspective. When you’re trying to solve a problem or unlock a new opportunity, keep this equation in mind and seek out new surroundings. My “dragonfly moment” wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t planned that getaway – and it gave me a welcome change in perspective.

2.????Bet on you and take care of you.?Nothing is more powerful in our transformation journey than believing in and caring about ourselves. Self-care isn’t selfish – it is essential – to not only survive but thrive on our life and leadership learning journey.?

3.????Learn from and lean on connections.?My most meaningful life and leadership transformations have been greatly influenced by my relationships. I have learned so much from those whose shoulders I stand on. My connections illuminated paths for me to step into my power, providing life lessons and the wisdom to pay it forward.?

4.????Things may not happen when you want them, but they’re always right on time.?I heard this quote often from my grandmothers – and they were right. Life and career transitions don’t always happen on our schedule. But if we’re open to the lessons we can learn from unexpected change, we just might find that every transition is right on time. I call this “strategic serendipity” - and I’m here for it.??

Change can be hard, whether it’s by choice or by chance – but change is a pathway to growth, to transformation. As humans, it’s important to change. All too often, we think of change as a negative.?But I believe we all?should?change. Not just change for the sake of change – but change with intention, with meaning.?Our world and society are moving at warp speed. We can maintain our sense of self, our core values and purpose, even as we transform to meet the changing needs of the world around us.?

What tips do you have for being open to growth and learning??