What bees teach us about where the story goes next

 I am so grateful to all those neighbours who decided to plant flowers. When I go on my daily walks I get their beauty for free, but I also get a reminder from Nature about the core strength of human beings.

See, human beings are a lot like bees.The reason we have become such a dominant species is not because of our physical strength, or even the size of our brains.

It is because our greatest joy lies in collaborating. We get joy from doing things for and with each other.

We want to help each other survive and thrive. That's why we invented stories. 

And we still have a lot we can learn from bees about the nature of stories.

Bees are amazing creatures. They return to the hive and do a little dance to help the others know where the pollen is hiding out there. Then they come back with it together and turn it into honey.

So what are you doing with the stories of your experiences in the world? What are you turning them into?

Did you know one of the fastest ways to join a new environment and attune your immune system is to eat the local honey?

We help each other acclimatize to "how it is around here" through sharing stories. What kind of stories are you sharing? How are you helping immunise someone else against despair?

One of my favourite words I've been gifted is the Lithuanian word "bičiulis" which speaks of the sharing of bees. The Lithuanian culture is so into bees that it also uses this word to describe a friend.

That's what we're all looking for, right? Someone to share the sweetness of life with. 

As a friend of mine said in a Zoom call this week, it is easy to fall prey to "the constant invitation to drink despair for breakfast." The constant invitation to share stories of despair, suffering and darkness is high at the moment.

What are your stories inviting? Can you help us all to invite more generative possibilities? Can you help shine a light on what's going right out there?

From my perspective, we can learn a lot about someone from the stories they share. And we should become very vigilant about the people we want to invite into leadership.

The litmus test is their stories. Do they invite us to be divided and divisive or to become a beehive working to share the honey?

I know which one Nature is voting for.