"The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged and fresh, just as he found them." — Saint Francis de Sales
My neighbour kindly cuts my lawn for me, or rather, part of it. In the last few years he’s cut around the house and a section by the road and left the rest to grow wild. I prefer it all be cut but he’s giving me his time and equipment.
A week or so ago, I noticed someone post on a local group they would like to place some beehives on some local properties. I sent a message making the uncut part of my lawn available. They will place and look after the hive, in the fall, they will provide me with some honey. I love raw unhoney. I’m on their list and we’ll see what happens.
This practice has been growing in this area over the last few years. It’s a grassroots effort to help honey bees survive in this world where the use of chemicals threatens their survival. The honey bees actively demonstrated the interconnectedness of us all. Honey bees pollinate plants which feed us while they are collecting their own food.
They do no damage in collecting their food. They have an inate respect for the world around them. Humanity gets so caught up in their drive for more, a mindset of extraction and exploitation as part of success often takes precedence over being mindful of the needs of all. The simple bee’s mindful gathering is a reminder that goals can be achieved without a scorched earth approach.
There is an abundance in the world yet, too many grasp a scarcity mindset and seek to hoard instead of meeting needs and letting all share in the abundance. The root cause of most wars is the scarcity mindset, you’d think we’d learn to live in harmony by identifying the root cause. Sadly to do so would mean recognizing there is abundance in the world and behaviours of the most powerful would need to change to share the abundance.
If we wait for so called leaders to come to this recognition we’d die in despair. Individually, we can see the bee’s actions as a metaphor for our path in life. We can all learn to live in harmony with those around us and with nature. In doing so we can cultivate a sense of gratitude and mindfulness in our daily lives. If enough of us do so, we’ll learn to expect better from those who expect to lead
We can engage with others with kindness, respect, compassion. Listen actively, be empathetic and encourage when appropriate. We don’t need to, nor should we, rescue or fix. It’s up to each of us to do our own healing, but we can ask others to walk alongside. Do no harm, learning to take wisdom and inspiration without trying to impose beliefs or desires on others.
The honey bee’s actions while collecting it’s food has a ripple effect. It pollinates the plant to reproduce and grow food for others while causing no harm to the plant. It collects nutrients to feed itself and others in the hive which in turn then creates nourishing honey. The interconnectedness of the bee’s actions illustrates how we are one. We are part of the whole even when we feel alone, we’re not truly alone.
They are also a reminder, our thoughts, actions and words have consequences and influence further than we realize. Acting with mindfulness can enrich ourselves and others beyond our awareness.
Shadowspub writes on a variety of subjects as she pursues her passion for learning. She also writes on other platforms and enjoys creating books you use like journals, notebooks, coloring books etc. Her Nicheless Narrative podcast airs on Thursdays each week.
NOTE: unless otherwise stated, all images are the author’s.
Some of the image work may have been done in Midjourney for which I hold a licence to use the imges commercially.
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