Oh, Honey!

Posted on May 9, 2007
Filed Under Life, Goals, Fulfillment |

Lately I’ve heard several stories about the disappearing Honey Bees. Initially I didn’t pay attention. Paying attention is not my strong suit lately with the little one constantly needing all of mine. But one day, while channel surfing, a story about Honey Bees caught my interest. I was amazed and awed by what I heard.

Let me beginning at the beginning. Growing up, we had a bee hive on our property. This was not one of those hives where the bees were lived in nice boxes. And, we didn’t have any beekeeper suites for safety. None of that! This was a living, some times swarming bee hive, with thousands of free roaming, buzzing and stinging bees. Playing, we’d often irritate the bees and have to quickly run for cover. I was a teenager before my grandmother finally had the hive removed. By that time I was an expert at swatting, swinging, covering and running whenever a bee got too close. Amazingly enough I was never stung as a child.

Back to the disappearing Honey Bees, I never knew the role they played in our daily lives. Turns out the significance bees hold is tremendous. I had no idea bees pollinate all of our fruit orchards. Every single almond, individual apple, flower, and blossom are all visited by bees. The job they do has a profound and necessary affect in our lives. The disappearance of the Honey Bees is being felt far and wide and has the potential to damage our ecological system tremendously.

I am awed by God’s genius and magnificent. Every thing created has an important role in this thing called life. Can you imagine life without spring’s vibrant colors, sweet fragrances, tasty fruits and blossoms in abundance? We’re all intricately connected, like a tightly wound tapestry. So much so that the choices we make in how we live have an impact on bees. I had no idea! God is the bomb! I’m seriously impressed.

The reason for the disappearing bees is still unclear and the research is ongoing.I believe my choices greatly impact our planet and I’m going to begin changing my behavior. First, my husband and I have started recycling. We actually did this a while ago. I have stopped asking for a receipt at the bank. This saves trees. I’m also starting to use cloth bags at the grocery store. We will also begin replacing our cleaning products with environmentally safe ones. This will support the health and well-being of my family and the environment. This is a timely transformation and I’d like to do more, but it’s important to start where we are. My vision and desire is to purchase Hybrid vehicles and eventually live in a home that is environmentally safe. All in perfect time.

Today I’m grateful the light has shone and some ignorance been cast out. I sincerely want to do my part to save those busy, buzzing and sometimes pain in the neck bees. At the suggestion of my best friend I’m going nurture my relationship with bees by reading ‘The Secret Life of Bees.’ I’ll let you know how that goes.

Take some time and see if there are things you can do to assist in nurturing and loving our planet. For the love of God we must do something- Mother Earth is so good to us. It doesn’t take drastic changes; just a few small things will help. You’ll appreciate it when you are still able to stop and smell the roses!

Peace and Blessings,Monique Ruffin-James