The Caterpillar Stage

If someone were to ask me what animal I most represent right now, it would be a caterpillar. I don’t know why anyone would ask me this, but just in case they do, I have my answer. Can’t you just imagine the little multi-legged friend? He is probably thinking, “So is this it? Is this all there is – eating leaves and just barely beating a slug in a race? This kinda sucks!” Little does he know that very soon he will transform into something so much more. He will be molded, he will endure lots of patience and then he will transform. He has only just begun his journey. This visual allows me to have hope for something more in the future, whatever that may be. With time and wisdom, this will come to fruition. I could go on to talk about the grandeur and delight in the butterfly, but those affectations are still many blogs away as I have yet to really endure my caterpillar stage. We all go through caterpillar stages, and yes, they stink. I imagine that if I really were a caterpillar, I’d be at the leaf bar on the weekends throwing back the nectar. After a night out with my comrades, I’d stumble home (and keep stumbling since I have so many heels on all my legs) waking up to one more day closer to transformation. Heck, I might even write about my caterpillar stage on some bug blog spot. Yep, the caterpillar stage can be a little brutal, but I accept it. I think Robert Frost would appreciate this metaphor. He once said, “ The best way out is always through.” His quote parallels the picture I have painted: “you have to be a caterpillar before becoming a butterfly.” I have been presented with two extreme choices and opportunities in the past few weeks. Both choices are hopeful and scary. The good thing about this caterpillar stage is that it has forced my to read, read and read some more. I guess the search for knowledge and self-help brings a caterpillar that much closer to transformation. So as I lay off the leaf bar this month, I will be still and listen to the whispers of my heart. Only time will tell how the whispers will lead me…