MANY people associate bees with their deadly sting. But look closely and you'll realise that they're actually phenomenal creatures. They have some great qualities that we can use as valuable life lessons.
According to a blog livekindly.co, bees may be little creatures, but wild bees are an important species for our planet's survival. Humans can also thank bees for much of the food that we eat. Put simply, we cannot live without bees.
The blog also reported that the United States Department of Agriculture estimates that pollinators like bees and butterflies help pollinate approximately 75 per cent of the world's flowering plants. They pollinate roughly 35 per cent of the world's food crops, including fruits and vegetables, and also support the production of 87 of the world's leading food crops.
There's little doubt that bees are amazing creatures. "My bees cover one thousand square miles of land that I do not own in their foraging flights, flying from flower to flower for which I pay no rent, stealing nectar but pollinating plants in return," said Sue Hubbell, an American author who studied biology.
Scientists generally agree that if bees die out, the world would be in trouble. "If we lose bees, we may be looking at losing apples and oranges. We may be looking at losing a great deal of other crops as well, and other animals that depend on those crops," wrote Annalee Newitz, an American journalist, editor and writer.
It seems that bees are attracted to good and clean things, as opposed to flies which are attracted to dirt. While bees spread life, flies spread diseases, which may lead to deaths. Both creatures can be a source of life lessons.
HOPE AND OPPORTUNITIES
Those who are able to see things like a bee tend to see beauty amid the gloom. Unfortunately, many people just go through the motion day in, day out, failing to stop and appreciate their beautiful life.
They get bogged down with work and the hassles of living. They vent out to others around them, including their children. They also become overly critical when things don't go their way. Are they behaving like a bee or a fly?
A happier strategy is to be like a bee. See goodness in other people. See hope and opportunities, solutions over problems. Care enough to give proper feedbacks and be humble enough to accept them too.
Those behaving like flies are always suspicious of others. They're judgmental and spread negativity wherever they go. They can't accept guidance from others because they think their way is the only way.
We can apply this concept to our family. No one's perfect, including our children. Instead of harping on their imperfections, see them for what they are. Even those born with special conditions physically have not only survived but thrived in this world. It's a matter of choice whether we want to focus on their weaknesses or choose to appreciate and leverage on their strengths.
Zaid Mohamad coaches and trains parents to experience happier homes and more productive workplaces. Reach him at zaid@smartparents.com.my.