Greetings to all in our hive, wherever on this incredible planet you might be. Jazianzza and I are grateful to have you join us in this July newsletter. It seems to have been a whirlwind month, as well as a whirlwind year, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
That brings us to our topic of finding balance. Bumblebees again started appearing a few weeks ago, and I always get a kick out of watching them land on a flower, especially if it’s delicate. The whole flower sways back and forth, yet the bee continues to feed, seemingly oblivious. I almost get dizzy just watching it! It’s like being on a ship in a storm, where it rocks so much that passengers often end up throwing up. So, how do bees manage to find their balance and stay steady? That’s the question I spent some time researching because I find it fascinating. Jazi thought it would be wonderful if you all knew another facet of just how amazzzing her family is, so here goes…
It turns out that bees are well-designed to meet the challenges of flowers dancing in the breeze. First, remember how Jazianzza told everyone in Bee-Coming Strong about how she has five eyes, compared to our two? The two large ones on the side are called “compound eyes” and have over 3,000 lenses, which allow them to see ultraviolet light, useful for identifying which flowers are full of nectar. They can use these eyes to get a super-wide view, enabling them to detect motion quickly. Even if the flower is moving, they’re able to keep track of it easily.
Also, they flap their wings over 200 times per second, so they not only are able to hover, but can match the movements of a swaying flower without losing their balance!
Third, the tiny hair sensors on their legs and feet can give them information about the movement below their feet. This allows them to adjust to the flower’s rocking motion automatically.
And you know that crooked antenna that Jazi has? When both antennas are well-functioning, bees use them to orient themselves and maintain balance, something akin to our inner ear’s function.
Lastly, their brains can quickly use visual patterns to recognize a flower’s shape, color, and texture to line itself up, even on a windy day.
Here’s a short video of a bumblebee maintaining its balance. This will give you an idea of why I’m so taken by their ability to stay steady. There was another video I found, but I became too dizzy watching it!
What a magnificent little bee-ing the Universe created, right? But what about us? Surely, if the little bees are given such a marvelous toolkit to maintain their balance, what about human beings? Are we equipped with any inner abilities to support us during stressful times? Most definitely!
Remember in Bee-Coming Strong MamaQueenzieBee taught Jazi some breathing practices? That was one of the key factors in her being able to calm herself while facing her biggest fear. Yes, something as easy as breathwork can create massive change within us. It’s no wonder that the Navy SEALS utilize various breathing techniques to not only deal with stress but enhance their ability to focus. Learning even one simple yet powerful breath practice can be life-changing. We often spend so much time searching outside ourselves for a sense of peace and harmony, when it’s right there within us! All we need to do is learn to access it. It can begin with the very next breath.
If you’d like, just try one very simple thing… stop what you’re doing for a moment and notice your breath coming in and going out. Just focusing on the breath–which is always with us–can help our mind begin to calm down, which helps us retain our balance–just like Jazi on the swaying flower. It works! Simple as it is, this ancient science of paying attention to our breath can bring a profound sense of calm.
This was one of the reasons I wrote Bee-Coming Strong. If, as a child, I could have learned to watch my breath and ponder the wisdom MamaQueenzieBee taught Jazi, I could have been more self-assured, calmer, and able to live with a sense of freedom and harmony that only came much later. I want all children to be able to access these invaluable tools so they can know themselves and become more balanced and calm, as well as come to understand that their lives matter, even though they are young. This is why I give free PDFs of the book – I want all children to have this opportunity.
I’d like to introduce you to a site that I think you and your kiddos might appreciate. They’re dedicated to helping children learn how to self-regulate, become calm, and deal with challenges. They have a wonderful variety of flashcards available, from breathing practices to yoga postures, mindfulness techniques, and even very creative thematic packs of cards. You can check them out here.
Also, just for fun, here’s a coloring page from the Portland, Maine Pollinators, a group dedicated to protecting and supporting pollinator habitats and native species. They have a well-organized website with lots of information about how to create a pollinator-friendly natural environment.
I think those were the main things Jazi and I wanted to share with you this month. Did you know that July 10th is National “Don’t Step on a Bee Day”? It was originally designed to help bring greater awareness to the importance of bees in our lives. Awesome!
Wishing you all a month of smooth buzzing, times of focused breathing, and a greater awareness of the incredible consciousness that lives within you!
“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again. Through mindfulness and concentration, the energies of your body and mind will be able to reunite and you will be able to reestablish yourself in the present moment.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh, The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation
And as always, please feel free to share this newsletter with friends who have children or grandchildren, or are teachers, caregivers, bee lovers, or anyone else you think might benefit/delight from reading this. They can subscribe by simply going to AnandamayiBaker.com and filling out the form.