My inspiration for today's blog post came from a construction site that I can see from my living room's window. Those tiny construction workers working in harmony as if they were playing in an orchestra made me think about bees and how all their hard work is oriented at the improvement of the community. And if you have been reading my blog long enough you already know how important the sense of community is to me.
A few weeks ago I went to the Kew Gardens with my friend Jessica (#hellojess #bestiesorbeesties?) and we were lucky enough to listen to a talk by beekeeper Harry Stigner on bee societies and their importance in our food supply chain. We learned that no bee is an island and that every single bee has an important role in the beehive: "from security bees defending the hive, to gathering forage, feeding young, cleaning, building, central heating, air conditioning, grooming and preparing honey." And even if you could argue that beehives are not perfect societies because of the lack of individuality, among other things, there is no doubt that there is so much that we could learn from them on "how hundreds and thousands of beings can cohabit harmoniously in a small space."
Should bees be our new role models? Probably not, as it would be hard to relate to an insect. But there is something that needs to be done about the role models that we have today. These new generations are looking up to people who have achieved absolutely nothing. From people who are notorious just because we made them famous to others who are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Why can't we have as a role model a hardworking person who, like the bees, has earned what they have with sweat and tears? Why can't we make a construction worker's hard work our aspiration in life?
I am sure that there are a lot of honest and hardworking people out there that would make excellent role models. Maybe the problem is that we haven't heard about them because the media feeds from what sells and apparently we are more interested in someone's makeup technique or sex-tape than the achievements of everyday people. Or maybe it is true that it is hard to find a role model in our communities and that is why the fake role models are taking over our aspirations. So, if that is the case, I have a proposal: why not be the role model for others that you can't seem to find for yourself? And in trying to be the best person that you can be you will not only be setting an example for others but you will also be making this world a better place.
Bee a role model. Bee the change.
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