“…when it’s time to become an adult, most caterpillars start to wander away from what they’ve been eating.” [science.howstuffworks.com] This is just one step in a caterpillar’s dramatic transformation. You are likely well aware that a butterfly was once a caterpillar, but did you know that in the chrysalis stage, its body goes through a meltdown of sorts…becoming a gooey, sticky mass of imaginal cells before being reshaped into something almost completely new?
“I believe in green”, watercolor and ink on 120 lb Winsor & Newton, 2003…painted years in advance of this post, yet seems perfectly fitting today
Personal growth is pertinent at any stage of life but for many of us in middle-years, it’s an unavoidable quest. Recent conversations and then, this morning, reading my dear friend Dave Vaughan’s post “What the Kale Have I Gotten Myself Into?” [meangreenzilla.wordpress.com] brought that into plain sight and inspired a mite-sized story…
From Squirming to Soaring, a Tiny Tale
Feeling ugly and far from his true potential, the caterpillar set aside menial tasks, liquidated his assets and withdrew from the world into his little pod, where he continued the process of mid-life meltdown–quite literally liquidating himself. (Ewww!) Then, at last, in a state most unlike his old self, he began to rebuild, reshape his life…to show the world his true colors; sharing his gifts as all caterpillars and other creative beings must.
Morphing is no small apples-of-the-earth. Often messy, confusing, even heart-breaking–it carries with it the seed of potential. And, as I and many others I know have found, it can’t be ignored without penalty. If you find that maintaining the status quo makes you feel restless, bitter and/or broken, you just may be in the uncomfortable stages of a life change. Be encouraged. Like the caterpillar, you are wired for flight, destined to rise; to truly see more of the world around you, and to find the very real and beautiful part of life you are becoming.
I’m still in the process, but I can tell you from what I’ve experienced so far and what I’ve glimpsed over the shoulders of those on ahead, that it’s all worth it. Every gooey, sticky, icky bit.
Bon voyage.
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly. ~ Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull
moya 
Thanks for the oodles of kudos and encouragement! I’m still waiting for the cocoon to crack but enjoying each moment of the morph.
Thank you for the inspiration, Dave. This post was a good warm-up for the bigger project I have let sit through the holidays, and I’m glad for an opportunity to promote your projects.
No matter my age, or twice my age ;), the iggly-wiggling of change never ceases – the beauty is learning to GrOw through it instead of around it, and eventually, basking in the transformation. You’re wings, dear Momma, are showing xoxo
Your insights are dearer than I can express, my creatuitive girl… xoxo