Saturday
Aug142010
Lessons from a moth
August 14, 2010 
Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. ~~ William Jennings Bryan
I ventured outside this morning with camera in hand with the goal to find something in my viewfinder to inspire today’s post. Thanks to this little hummingbird moth, I achieved my goal.
It was so windy when I went out that I despaired of getting a nice, sharply focused photo and was about to give up when I spotted a little dragonfly battling the wind. I followed him around for a little bit and then in flew the hummingbird moth. He had such a hard time with the wind, but finally found a flower that was to his liking. Unfortunately his grip was tenuous and he was blown away, but he persevered, determined to make his way back to the flower, and once there, clutching onto the blossom of one flower while he drank the nectar from the other.
Oh, if I were only more like that hummingbird moth, intent on reaching my goal. Not that I don’t have goals. I do. Plenty of them. Am I intent on reaching them? Heck yes. No, let’s be more emphatic – Hell yes! Am I doing something to reach them? Yes. Could I be doing more? Yes, I could.
Geez, it sucks to be honest with yourself. It doesn’t really matter which goal I’m talking about, whether it is losing some weight, or building my photography business, I could be doing something more.
I really like the quote up above by William Jennings Bryan, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice …” We choose our destiny by our actions or inactions. If we work with steadfastness and determination, then we can reach our destination, just as the moth did. If we choose to do nothing, then we don’t move forward. We stagnate.
“…it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” Take the example of weight loss for example; if I work hard today, exercise today, control my portions and eat right today, and every day, then I will reach my destination of a smaller dress size and, more importantly, a healthier body. If I don’t take the steps just defined, or if I wait until Monday … or maybe the Monday after that, because there is something going on next week and it will be hard to eat right for one meal … then … guess what? There is always going to be a reason to put off taking action and the result in this case is I stay fat, dumpy and roly-poly. Definitely not healthy and not the person I want to be.
It is easier with the photography business goals, but they still require action, the lesson still applies. As Bryan says, it is a matter of choice. As Nike says, “just do it.”
Boy, that little hummingbird moth taught me a lesson I needed to hear today.
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Don't forget about our first contest here at Vision and Verb, compliments of HelloCanvas.com. One lucky winner will be the recipient of a large 24″x36″ gallery wrap print and two runners-up will each receive a 16″x20″ print.
What does one have to do to win? Just post a photo and a quote to go along with it on our Facebook wall. Let us know in a separate comment on the wall post why you chose the quote and what it means to you. By submitting your entry, you agree to let us post your photo and quote on Vision and Verb and you get an entry into the contest. One entry per person!
Deadline for entries is just a couple of days away, August 18th at midnight, EDT (that means August 17th by 11:59 p.m.). Judging the entries will be Bob Towery of Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday. Don’t be like Cinderella, get your entry in early before the stage coach turns back into a pumpkin! Men – this includes you, too!!
Reader Comments (7)
I just got my education, Toni, about a hummingbird moth. And look at that image of it! I had no clue there was such a thing. Just think: everything you ever needed to know you learned from a hummingbird moth. :) To tell you the truth, your determination on all the levels I know about you is admirable. I have no question that you will achieve the goals you set out to reach! Thanks for passing on the motivation.
There are life-lessons everywhere in nature. All we need to do is open our eyes to see. Love how you've found yours in this simple little hummingbird moth..an 'insect' that might otherwise be discounted.
Sometimes it's not the destination that is most important..but the journey. Eventually - it is that which will lead to your destiny of choice...and ultimate goal.
YOU GO GIRL!!!
I love the way you just walk outside and find inspiration for a post. Wonderful vision and verb. Now, I am going to walk the dog and see if I can do that too
How beautiful! I am glad that Nature was able to give you what you needed, so simply, and so beautifully illustrated. May you persevere in all your goals -- while also remembering you are lovely, and enough, just as you are now. :)
A wonderful lesson, one I think about myself, often. (Especially when it comes to losing weight). It is so much easier to always say, I will do it tomorrow...
This photo is incredible, love the lighting, the motion, the capture, the evidence of determination.
This post brought a chuckle. I loved your emphatic "Hell yes!" I loved the way you found inspiration from a hummingbird moth. (I photographed one once and had to do a Google search to find out what it was. Funny looking critter.) I love your honestly about setting goals. I'm struggling myself with my exercise routine and weight loss issues.
Relevant post; one many (maybe most) of us can relate to!
Wonderful vision with those verbs.