Eberhard Arnold
See how the bee-people swarm together –
what perfect oneness they display!
They build and serve and work as one.
With “mine” and “thine” they do away.
When they return to nurse their young,
then, too, they are completely one.
They share the harvest of each blossom,
and none lives for himself alone.
Bees know the impulse of true oneness –
a wondrous sign of community.
A people of love, they toil as one,
and none is left out of their unity.
Saint-Exupéry writes in The Little Prince of the Little Prince visiting another planet, this planet was the smallest of all the planets with a lamppost and lamplighter. The Little Prince said:
“Perhaps this man is foolish. However, he is less foolish than the king, than the vainglorious, than the businessman, and then the drinker. At least his work has meaning. When he lights his lamp, it is as if he gave birth to one more star, or to a flower. When he blows out his lamp off, it puts the flower, a star to sleep. It is a very beautiful occupation. It truly is useful since it is beautiful. . . . He is the only one that does not seem ridiculous to me. It is, perhaps, because he takes care of things other than himself.”
NOTE: Forgetting about ourselves and caring more about others creates meaning in our lives. It seems so simple that connecting with others is the pathway to living a full, happy, and meaningful life. We don’t live in silos, we live in communities and communities are made-up of people who are meant to help each other and build the community so it will prosper and thrive. We each have a part to play no matter how big or small in building our community.
A friend mentioned that his father finds people where he lives (assisted care) unfriendly. His father claims the other residents don’t like to talk. I questioned my friend and found out that his father is waiting for people to come to him and engage him in a conversation. Unfortunately, it’s not the way it works. One has to step out and engage others. It’s how we connect. The more we engage others, the more we become connected and a part of our community. It really is a life changing action.
Here are a few of the good things I witnessed or experienced today:
We’re another day closer to winning this battle. Don’t be pulled underwater by the naysayers, we are going to get through it and come out better. Yes we Will. Pull together.
The little things are priceless treasures to me. They brighten my day. I hope your day is filled to overflowing with the little things that make life worth living.
Grateful for all the above.
If you’d like to share the good things you’ve witnessed on my blog, Email me (ray.brese@gmail.com) a short list (1 to 5 things. I’ll post and attribute them to you in the way you choose to be acknowledged (e.g., anonymous, name, Word Press blog (etc.).
