Honey-Colored Hair & Bees

For as long as I can remember, I have been a nature enthusiast. Being outdoors allows me to rejuvenate and (re)discover my joy. Perhaps because of this, when something in nature happens unexpectedly, seemingly serendipitously, I take note. I observe it, file it away, and bring it back out when I need to. As was the case on this day…

I was having lunch with a friend who’s part of my tight-knit sista community — the badass women I surround myself with — and we were laughing and joking over some salads from Sweetgreen when she suddenly stopped to say, “You have a bee in your hair.” Hmmm, a bee in my hair. First, how did a bee get into my hair; and, secondly, are we talking a house fly or one of those big yellow and black killer bees? And, why, aren’t you swatting it away? I didn’t scream or shake my head. I froze. I didn’t want to get stung. (I had my hair in two-strand twist; so my scalp was exposed in various parts.)

Well, apparently the bee was very big because its new residence on my head started to attract a crowd. Now, I’m nervous. I laugh to myself and say of all days this is what’s happening to me. My friend took her time coaxing the bee away from my hair. In a matter of seconds (long, long seconds), the bee was up and out of my hair and the crowd let out a collective sigh of relief. I turned my head to catch the bee before it flew out of sight and it was one of those yellow and black honeybees! I was relieved. We shared some nervous, yet relieved, laughter.

I took a bite from my salad.

“You know that was a sign right?” my friend asked.

I looked at her — confused.

“A sign of what? That the be thought my honey-colored hair was its beehive?”

She laughed. “No, that you’re blooming.”

Okay, now before you make the same face I did or have the same thought I had when she said that, just know that prior to the bee we were talking about our creative endeavors and knowing that ideas spread and that we are the conduits of creativity. As we create, our ideas spread and lives (including ours) are changed. It encourages others to do their thing, too. Yeah, deep stuff.

So when the bee landed on my head, it was like a bee had found a place to plant some pollen and carry some pollen to the next “flower.” This is how pollination happens, at least with bees. This is also part of the honey-making process.

“I guess I am! I’ll take it!” I said to her.

“You’ve got something that needs to be shared, so share it,” she noted.

So a bee showed us that afternoon that we have something to share that will help ourselves and others grow. And I’m passing the message onto you. You matter. Because you exist, because you are a breathing human being, you are worthy. You are worthy of your dreams, and you have ideas worth spreading. So let your creative flower bloom and watch life help you spread your work of art! J+W