Let’s Bee Friends
I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania in a quiet neighborhood on top of a little hill. In the winter, all of the neighborhood kids would gather at the top of the hill and sled to the bottom. It was a blast! Until you had to drag your sled back up the hill! Winter was fun, but I’m a lover of the sun and all things summer. I couldn’t wait for it to hit 75 degrees. This was the magic number in which my mom would allow me to wear shorts! I would start begging her around 70 degrees, but she rarely gave in.
We had a nice sized yard with plenty of room for a swing set, sand box, woodpile, and a shed for storage. The backyard was home to my favorite silver maple tree. On most days you could find me running around the yard, barefoot, or climbing that silver maple. I’d even take a book with me and spend hours reading in my tree. I loved being barefoot! The feeling of the soft grass and the earth beneath my feet made my soul sing! (Still does!)
Although the grass was heavenly, it was also dotted with white clover from front to back, and where there is clover, there are bees. I’d strategically run through the grass as if it were a maze, skipping joyfully over the clover, ever so carefully avoiding the bees. This method worked for most of my childhood, until one day, I wasn’t so careful. A giant bumble bee was feeding on a clover, and my big toe slammed on top of him!
I’m sure I cried, but all I remember is looking at my toe and seeing the stinger sticking out of it. My mom pulled out the stinger and my big toe proceeded to swell to the size of a large egg. She was concerned about an allergic reaction, so off I hobbled to the small town family doctor. I remember having to take some pink liquid for a while until the swelling subsided. I was devastated that I couldn’t run around the yard until my toe healed. I’m sure my mom insisted I wear shoes after that, but of course that didn’t last long!
After that incident I was terrified of bees. I’m not sure why that had such an impact on me, but I would run in fear if bees were nearby. I learned shortly after that if a bee stings you in the neck, your throat could swell up and you could die. Say no more! Every time I saw a bee, I would immediately cover my neck. This continued into adulthood. I’m talking, right up until a couple of months ago.
I remember when my daughter was in highschool, she came home one day and said to me, “Did you know that bees are a keystone species?” I had never heard that term, so I immediately looked it up. A keystone species is an organism that helps define the ecosystem. Without the keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist all together. Well, I certainly had a much deeper respect for bees after that! I understood that bees are pollinators but I never put much more thought into it than that.
I learned that more than 4400 species of native bees help pollinate crops in North America. Honey bees, in particular, are pollinators of blueberries, strawberries, apples, melons, cranberries, pumpkins, squash, almonds, broccoli, bananas, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, coffee and chocolate. Consider a world without chocolate and coffee! No thanks! My level of respect for these tiny, albeit scary little creatures multiplied.
Fast forward to this fall in North Carolina. I took some time for myself to heal, ground, and grow. I spent as much time outside as I could, as nature is where I find peace. One day, I found myself sitting on the porch watching the honey bees. I noticed there were about five or six honey bees flying dangerously close to me, but instead of being fearful, or moving away, I just sat in total stillness and waited to see where they might land.
I decided that I would breathe deeply, instill a sense of calm, and wait. One bee landed on my hand, then another, then another! I wasn’t scared, I was excited! Soon about ten bees were flying all around me, as I watched in wonder as these tiny magnificent creatures crawled over my fingers and hands. That day changed my entire view of bees and fear. I now looked forward to my bee friends visiting with me and would seek them out.
So much of our fear is manifested in our minds, it isn’t actually real. We create a story in our heads of what might happen, and focus so deeply on that story that we actually create that outcome! What if we created a story in our minds of the best situation that is for our highest and greatest good? We would dramatically shift our entire world into what we truly desire. I challenge you to rethink one fear that you have been carrying since childhood. Write down your fear, and all of the reasons you believe it to be true. Then, write down the opposite of that fear, whatever the best situation or outcome would be if that weren’t true. Keep the positive outcome by your bedside, and recite it aloud every morning as you wake and every evening before getting into bed.
Since “bee-friending” bees, I have started to see them as spiritual guides and messengers in my life. As it is a bit colder these days, I hadn’t seen many bees in weeks. Today was much warmer with periods of sunshine. My kitty Norman felt it too, so we spent more time outside than we had been. As I was sitting on the porch, and Norman was frolicking in the leaves, I heard the familiar buzzing of bees. I was so excited to see two of my honey bee friends had come to say hello! One honey bee stayed for some time, crawling on my foot and toes before finally flying off. At one time having a bee land and crawl on my toes would have sent shivers up my spine, and now I calmly enjoyed the tickling sensation. How things change!
I had no intention of writing about bees, however, today’s visit inspired me to do just that. Bees are hard-working social bee-ings. They form partnerships, friendships, and a sense of community. They remind us that even if we may feel small, we have a significant role to play in the world, and every single one of them, and us, are important. Bees also symbolize the interconnectedness of all things, without “them”, there is no “us.” Native American and indigenous cultures view bees as harmonious and community-focused symbols. The Hopi regarded bees as symbols of fertility and industriousness, understanding their role in crop development.
If bees are flying around you, say hello, and thank you. I have added bees to my list of spirit guides. They bring messages of community, hard-work, prosperity, and growth. Carry a bee symbol with you to remind you that you are part of a larger spiritual community and have a great purpose in creating this world. Mediate with the energy of the bee to inspire new projects, new visions, and a renewed sense of purpose. Bee energy can propel us in a new direction and remind us that hard-work is part of achieving that dream, but also remind us that taking a break and enjoying the fruits of our labor are just as important. Namaste.
Bee Fearless my friends!
Donna
