Lessons from Bees.
As a young girl, I had a neighbor who was an apiary. To make a little spending money, I would help him out when and where I was able. Through this process, I learned to appreciate bees (a little bit; I liked them better when they weren’t around). Regardless, I did actually come to learn a bit about them and from them.
One lesson I have actually shared before. That lesson actually was best articulated by writer Anne Lamott as she shared her “12 Truths Learned from Life and Writing.” She relayed that her pastor had once told her that you can trap bees on the bottom of mason jars without lids because they don't look up, so they just walk around bitterly bumping into the glass walls. I have witnessed this many times as a young girl. Trying to shoo them out never worked, and other attempts almost got me stung. There is not much one can do in this situation for them. At best, you hope that at some point they simply look up.
Another lesson learned from bees is in their relationship with one another. As a colony, they function as a family or team. When some of the bees would find themselves trapped and struggling in the honey, which occasionally happens, other bees would often come to their rescue. They would work feverishly at trying to eliminate the sticky honey from the wings and bodies of their teammates, so they would be free and able to fly away exhausted but safe.
I say it all the time. It is tough to be an educator. And, it is only tougher if we try to go it alone. So, as we approach our three week mark and the honeymoon starts to fade, remember to reach out to a neighbor when you need and check in on a neighbor periodically. And remember, in the words of Margaret Mead, “Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”