Only our own compassion and loving-kindness are invincible and without limit, as they are internal qualities that can be cultivated within us and then shared with others.
Thich Nhat Hanh
Dear Reader,
From May to the first fall frosts, our family garden not only nourishes our spirits and feeds our physical bodies, but it is also home to hundreds of solitary and bumblebees. Over the years, my interest in them has grown from curiosity to borderline obsession. But it's not just me. Everyone who comes to visit our garden is drawn in by the busy bee life. For many, it's their first secure encounter with bees, and they are astounded at the many varieties.
Having no hive or nest to return to each night, Bumblebees and male solitary bees sleep on the flowers. My morning ritual involves greeting them as they wake and warm themselves, just as watching them collapse into a sleepy slump is part of closing down the garden for the night. Each bee is a mighty worker supporting productivity in our garden, but they have come to symbolize so much more.
I’ve written about the power of aligning with natural cycles, and working amongst the bees is another way to achieve that deep connection. It’s a special day each spring when the first bees are spotted. As the weather warms, our garden begins to hum. The bees invite us to join them in their focused, mindful way of being. It's a form of co-regulation I had never considered. There isn’t the tactile gain of petting a cat, but their buzz vibrates like a purr.
This particular summer, fraught with too much heat, insufficient water, and a growing collective unease, these bees have provided heaping doses of safety. And for those who are bee wary, unlike territorial honeybees, solitary bees and bumblebees are quite peaceful. Excellent communicators, Bumblebees will fly toward you when near their nest, knudging you to take another path and only sting if you continue to be a threat.
It’s not too late to take note of the bees in your area, and if they are in short supply, you can take action now in preparation for next season. This article shares some tips on increasing your solitary bee population. Late summer and fall are a fantastic time to plant flowering perennials. Most important, however, is to avoid purchasing plants from big box stores and large commercial nurseries. The systematic use of herbicides on pollinator-friendly plants will be counterproductive to your efforts. If you are in the Eastern part of the US and inspired to become a bee geek, I found this guide super helpful. It sets the bar high for next season, when I hope to improve my identification skills. And here’s one more good resource from Penn State on the life of Bumblebees.
So, how is this about being kind, as the subject suggests? When I work among the bees, I understand the power of interdependence; these tiny creatures are living, breathing examples of a topic modern humans have yet to grasp. Every entity has a purpose, and we all need each other to bring about harmony. In today's climate, which normalizes cruelty against “others,” it's easy to feel small and powerless against such a force and forget our greatest superpower. Kindness. Kindness to yourself, your family, neighbors, and all living beings. And if you find your kindness pledge fading as the day progresses, consider boosting it each morning with Metta or Loving Kindness meditation. Jon Kabot-Zinn breaks it down for us here. And don’t forget the bees, such a visual reminder of how to be.
Until next week,
