An email arrived in my inbox as I was watching bees pollinate a blueberry tree yesterday afternoon. It was a link to a video clip of a bee taking off in ultra-slow motion, taken from just inches away. A truly amazing sight! Take a look:
I’ve often reflected on the idea of the well-worn phrase “stop and smell the roses,” but the industrious little bee featured in this video opened the door to a new perspective for me. Allow me to explain.
You may have heard someone reminiscing about the “good old days,” a period of time where they particularly enjoyed themselves. The setting is often related to youth or some unusual episode in life and the time frame may have been months or years. High school for some, childhood summers for others, the trip to Europe or the season spent as a ski instructor.
Regardless of the setting or time, there was a heightened sense of enjoyment experienced possibly during, but definitely after that all would describe as being “good,” “pleasurable” or “the best!”
Thanks to the remarkable technology behind the ultra-slow motion video shared above, we are able to appreciate the bee in ways previously unimaginable. Time is effectively slowed down, so that much more of the detail can be perceived and even better, appreciated. The split second recorded is expanded out to a minute of incredible footage. Imagine if we perceived life at that speed. There would be so much more to enjoy!
The thought I have this morning – thanks to my friend, a well-timed email and the bee – is that we needn’t always slow down to smell the roses. In fact, the only difference between those who enjoy a brief moment in time and those who do not, ceteris paribus, is that the one who enjoys the moment is looking carefully enough at the situation.
The ability to look at a situation with caring and appreciative eyes is a skill worth discovering or perhaps better put, re-discovering. Children, virtually universally, have this capacity from birth. It seems to be a sense or an ability that dulls over time. People are worn down with the less desirable elements of life as we know it and the concern to appreciate fades.
Fortunately, the beauty of nature and the irrepressible wonders of life continue to spring forth unabated. You don’t have to stop what you are doing to enjoy life. You just have to look more carefully.
It takes a little bit of energy at first, but once you’re in the habit, the flow that comes as you begin to see one beautiful, impressive, notable expression of wonder after another is energizing!
Gregory Hake 
I am always amazed that there are people that don’t enjoy life. Still, there are times when I feel “too busy”, and forget to enjoy what is going on. This is a good reminder that there are always things to appreciate in any moment, even if it’s just the great feeling of getting things done quickly!
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I agree slowing down to understand and connect with what is around us in real time is a habit.
I remember in a class on communication realizing that I half- listened to what people said to me because I was already forming my reply.
Listening is 80% of teaching, watching for cues to see if your students are grasping the concept you are teaching. This takes empathy and appreciation which unlocks a power of perception that can amaze you.
Using the same approach to the natural world will no doubt reward us with stunning new marvels to enjoy.
Loved the clip, thanks.
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People often look for the answer outside of themselves for a little respite, or a little recreation (re-creation of some warm & fuzzy feeling from the past) but how wonderful that exercising greater observation and appreciation can fill any moment with a sense of magic. That would be one of the meanings of fulfillment for me, the ability to fill the moment to the fullest. The sunset in my backyard is beautiful for what it is today and yet it also carries the magic of the sunsets over the Pacific I loved as a child. In this sense, the essences of the ‘good old days’ are still alive and well right in this moment. Amazing video – I look forward to focusing my awareness to let a little more detail fill my eyes and wonder fill my heart!
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I never miss a day of your blog. I always find it inspiring! I love today’s video because I’m a big “save the bees” advocate. You and your readers may be aware of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD is a mysterious disorder causing the disappearance of millions of honeybees that if left unsolved, could affect the availability of the food we eat.
I think your post is relevant to this and other problems we face which threaten the future of the earth and humanity because dulled vision and hearts destroy the potential for individuals to feel they can make a difference, and they can!
(For anyone interested in finding out more about CCD, click on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/silence-of-the-bees/introduction/38/ to watch the PBS special “Silence of the Bees” and find tips on how each one can help in their own backyard).
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I always thought of myself as a busy, multi-tasker, come to find out it was adult ADD. I think what you’re suggesting is worth some effort. I’m finding focus brings enjoyment and more satisfaction.
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The call to slow down and appreciate life moment by moment is heard. I had a moment last evening when I just sat and really looked at my youngest daughter, realizing she had grown right before my very eyes. How fast the time flys when we get caught up in the day to day routine. How sad it is to look back and realize that we missed some of the beauty. We so easily get distracted and fail to appreciate what is going on around us in each moment. The presciousness of a child smiling up at you before you tuck them into bed or the sound of a bird chirping outside your window can be lost in the chaos of the world if we choose. Thank you for the reminder to slow down and live in the moment! I bet there will be some magic revealed to us when we do!
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Great reminder that Life and Beauty are all around us and all we have to do is enjoy!
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Really cool video and a good reminder to see what’s beautiful, interesting and inspiring about life because it really is amazing.
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