While I was out at Anza-Borrego yesterday photographing desert wildflowers, I spent several minutes lying on my stomach watching (up close) this caterpillar eating this desert succulent. I was fascinated how it had climbed up the stem (about 10x it's body length) and starting eating close to the top of the plant. One bite at a time, up the length of the branch.
Earlier in the day, I had received a phone call from my good friend Brian Davis. He had finally got the news he had been waiting for. His company scored the Dept. of Education contract he had been working toward for years. I am so thrilled for him. The contract is valued in the 10's of millions of dollars. The fruit of his labor is very SWEET indeed.
Three things struck me as I considered the nature of growth, this caterpillar eating, and Brian's great news.
First, growth for a caterpillar or a company happens one bite at a time. All successful growth requires both time and energy. Brian has been climbing higher and chewing and chewing for years.
Second, often you have to go out on a limb. The measure of risk you are willing to take is directly proportionate the measure of reward that can be yours. I was extremely nervous with many of the choices and sacrifices Brian made for reaching his goal. He went way out on a limb, planning for his success. I admire his persistence in the face of great financial risk to accomplish his vision.
Third, his company, like this caterpillar, will soon have the wings to fly high. New opportunities can then be seen from this new perspective high above the earth. Both can leverage their new abilities and momentum. No longer limited to the ground, the sky is now the limit.
Congratulations Brian! I'm so proud of your amazing achievement. You inspire me to work hard toward making my dreams become my reality.
Nicely written, Joe! And great photo of the caterpillar.
Posted by: my. | March 11, 2009 at 03:27 PM
So I watched the same caterpillars for some time, but I never stopped to look for a deeper meaning in their seemingly monotonous existance; eat, crawl, eat, crawl, eat, don't get eaten, eat, make a cocoon. Beautiful photo Joe. And thanks for giving me something to think about when I lay my head down tonight. It was awesome hanging with you yesterday.
Posted by: Gregg Shaw | March 11, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Now that's a caterpillar! Holy Moly!
Posted by: Sara Mellander | March 13, 2009 at 12:32 PM