Elizabeth, I appreciate your lovely piece about how bees work to preserve the colony, “for the common good.”
But one thing I learned from a life of service to the poorest of the poor is that it came at a high personal cost to me and that the common good never included me. Although I would make the same life choices if I could do it all over again, I would understand from the beginning that there is nothing in it for me except a vague feeling of “doing the right thing.”
I would never, however, convince myself that loudly protesting about alleged injustices was as good as actually doing something constructive and concrete. Virtue signaling is no way to live a life of virtue.
Thoughtful and important comments, Switter. We assume bees don't have quite the same personal stakes, but it strikes me that they, too, do their work at great sacrifice. I don't know what the solution for that is, and I'm sorry for the toll it took on you, takes on others. I spoke today with a farmer who is totally disillusioned by what the current administration has done to programs designed to lift up small farmers like him, and what a lack of understanding on the parts of people in general means for how they value carefully tended land and food. He'd rather be somewhere other than here, he said. But he presses on with the work because he believes it is what he is supposed to be doing. Doing is what it takes to make anything happen. Grateful to you for sharing this here.
"When I refuse to look away from unbearable suffering, then believe in goodness anyway, beauty wins. When I allow bees and whales, wolves and crows, wildfires and floods, wars and hungers to take up space in the same heart — and still go on making the most of the time I have left — beauty wins." Also, I win today, just by pausing long enough to read this.
I listened to your beautiful reading 4 times.. I read your words twice... Not because I was convinced I could not understand your poetic approach or your depth of natural conversation... I did so because your integrity filled heart moved me to do so... Had I not known you most of your life I think reading this I would suddenly know you... And that would be an honor... I don't think I have a particular point to make today..... Unless running alongside you through the world's wildness and natural beauty-created, holy ground... And reminded me for whatever horrible reason... somebody roams the sweetness of life seeking to destroy it.... How shameful.... After all it was God who created.....
What a comment, Barry. I'm truly, deeply, utterly honored by your attention and response. I can't think of a higher compliment than to know that a piece of writing reflects the "me" you know. I fully believe that one of the greatest ills in our world is that we are so disconnected from nature. We just have to keep leading people back there as we can.
Thanks, Donna. Sometimes it’s hard to know if nudging is the right approach, but that’s precisely how it felt to me, too. Who knew a couple of bees could do that? And I love knowing that line mattered to you. ☀️
And of course there's this line, "When I refuse to look away from unbearable suffering, then believe in goodness anyway, beauty wins."
Oh, Elizabeth, this whole piece is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing it. Thank you for caring about the bees and for all the space in your beautiful heart.
It's easier than ever for me to feel disoriented these days, Holly. Folks like you, and thoughts like these help me remember how to get going in the right direction again. Thank you.
Kathleen, you might not know unless I mention it: This comment is so important and means so much. I’ve come to believe that it’s up to us, each in our own ways, to restore faith. Whether or not someone is “faithful” in a spiritual sense or not, it still seems that this is our purpose here. Thank you for being part of that process with me.
Truly beautiful, Elizabeth. Thank you so much for sharing your poetic vision of beauty and hope with the world. 🙏💚
From you, Don, that means a whole, whole lot. Thank you.
What a stunning meditation. Thank you for sharing it with us. 🩷
Grateful for your part in its beginnings, Marya, and for the words when they come. Gracias.
Breathtaking. And we love Sam and all he does and has done.
Ah, thank you. As for Sam -- though the phrase is now a little tired, I can say I've never met anyone who walks the talk more authentically than him.
This is beautiful and meaningful in so many ways…
I really appreciate that, Jacque, and likewise that you took the time to say so. Thanks!
Elizabeth, I appreciate your lovely piece about how bees work to preserve the colony, “for the common good.”
But one thing I learned from a life of service to the poorest of the poor is that it came at a high personal cost to me and that the common good never included me. Although I would make the same life choices if I could do it all over again, I would understand from the beginning that there is nothing in it for me except a vague feeling of “doing the right thing.”
I would never, however, convince myself that loudly protesting about alleged injustices was as good as actually doing something constructive and concrete. Virtue signaling is no way to live a life of virtue.
Thoughtful and important comments, Switter. We assume bees don't have quite the same personal stakes, but it strikes me that they, too, do their work at great sacrifice. I don't know what the solution for that is, and I'm sorry for the toll it took on you, takes on others. I spoke today with a farmer who is totally disillusioned by what the current administration has done to programs designed to lift up small farmers like him, and what a lack of understanding on the parts of people in general means for how they value carefully tended land and food. He'd rather be somewhere other than here, he said. But he presses on with the work because he believes it is what he is supposed to be doing. Doing is what it takes to make anything happen. Grateful to you for sharing this here.
"When I refuse to look away from unbearable suffering, then believe in goodness anyway, beauty wins. When I allow bees and whales, wolves and crows, wildfires and floods, wars and hungers to take up space in the same heart — and still go on making the most of the time I have left — beauty wins." Also, I win today, just by pausing long enough to read this.
Thank you, Stephanie. How I wish I could do more. I so appreciate your support.
I listened to your beautiful reading 4 times.. I read your words twice... Not because I was convinced I could not understand your poetic approach or your depth of natural conversation... I did so because your integrity filled heart moved me to do so... Had I not known you most of your life I think reading this I would suddenly know you... And that would be an honor... I don't think I have a particular point to make today..... Unless running alongside you through the world's wildness and natural beauty-created, holy ground... And reminded me for whatever horrible reason... somebody roams the sweetness of life seeking to destroy it.... How shameful.... After all it was God who created.....
What a comment, Barry. I'm truly, deeply, utterly honored by your attention and response. I can't think of a higher compliment than to know that a piece of writing reflects the "me" you know. I fully believe that one of the greatest ills in our world is that we are so disconnected from nature. We just have to keep leading people back there as we can.
BEE-You (to a) T!
Hah! I'm ever so silly, but you do resonate with anyone!
Thank you, Jill. Please, be silly any chance you get! I'm glad you're part of this community.
Beautiful writing and resonant images, Elizabeth. 💚
So much gratitude for you, Amanda, and for your appreciation of this.
These are songs. They are benedictions. They capture little miracles.
I wanted to quote back the same passage Stephanie did. Mysterious and beautiful. Kudos to you, and to Sam. Thanks for telling us what you heard.
Benediction is a word that will stay with me, Stew. Gosh, thank you.
This is a beautiful essay Elizabeth. It peels away the layers of superficiality and begs us to see more - the nudge that we are all thirsty for.
So many good phrases but my fav is ‘what is the flavour of sunlight’! Love it.
Thanks, Donna. Sometimes it’s hard to know if nudging is the right approach, but that’s precisely how it felt to me, too. Who knew a couple of bees could do that? And I love knowing that line mattered to you. ☀️
bee-lieve in goodness anyway. This is goodness defined.
☺️ Bee-lieve!! Thanks for that, Courtney.
"Have you heard me speak your name as I fly?"
And of course there's this line, "When I refuse to look away from unbearable suffering, then believe in goodness anyway, beauty wins."
Oh, Elizabeth, this whole piece is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing it. Thank you for caring about the bees and for all the space in your beautiful heart.
It's easier than ever for me to feel disoriented these days, Holly. Folks like you, and thoughts like these help me remember how to get going in the right direction again. Thank you.
This is a beautiful essay, Elizabeth, rich in image and metaphor. The finding of the bees was a moment of serendipity.
“Singer, sound-weaver, mysterious and transcendent, I am shaped by currents older than memory. I carry the knowledge of who you were meant to be.”
Thanks for being someone who believes in that alongside me, Amy!
I am in tears at the faith you restore within me, by showing up to write about things that matter…
Like bees. Or your habit of pausing to take it all in, in a cultural vacuum that does nothing but rush everything.
Kathleen, you might not know unless I mention it: This comment is so important and means so much. I’ve come to believe that it’s up to us, each in our own ways, to restore faith. Whether or not someone is “faithful” in a spiritual sense or not, it still seems that this is our purpose here. Thank you for being part of that process with me.