The Universe Shared A Lesson
When I set out to support my friend at her retreat, I was looking forward to a serene and transformative experience. As a Master NLP Practitioner, my intention was to bring a sense of calm and mindfulness to the group. Little did I know, the universe had a profound lesson in store for me.
One afternoon, as I sat on the porch, enjoying the gentle breeze, I noticed bumblebees buzzing around us. Some of the other attendees were uncomfortable and instinctively wanted to swat them away. I gently intervened, encouraging everyone to let the bees be, reminding them that these creatures were simply existing in their own space, just like us.
Over the next couple of days, a few attendees did get stung, which was unfortunate. But it was on the last day of the retreat that the most impactful lesson unfolded. I was inside the living room, chatting with a couple of attendees, when I noticed the cook boiling a pot of water. When he asked if someone could open the door for him, I gladly helped, not thinking much of it.
As I opened the door, the cook carried the pot of boiling water outside and poured it in the area where the bumblebees were buzzing. My heart sank as I realized what had just happened. My intention had never been to harm these little creatures, but by helping the cook, I had unintentionally supported his actions. It was a tough pill to swallow, and I knew there was a deeper lesson here for me.
The Bubble Bee Stung Me!
A few moments later, as I sat back on the porch, one of the bumblebees came and stung me on the cheekbone. I felt the sharp sting and the rush of adrenaline, but instead of reacting with fear or frustration, I chose to turn inward. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and focused on calming my nervous system. I knew that this moment held a message for me, and I was determined to understand it.
When the bee stung me, I made a conscious choice not to react in a way that would disrupt the peaceful activity on the porch. Instead, I quietly walked back inside the lake house, where a kind attendee quickly came to my aid. She mixed baking soda and water into a paste and gently applied it to the sting. I sat down quietly, focusing on calming my nervous system and reflecting on the lesson I was meant to learn from this experience.
With each breath, I asked the universe what I needed to learn from this experience. The answer soon became clear: even though my intention was never to harm the bees, I needed to be more mindful of the actions I supported. Sometimes, our support of others’ actions, even when well-intentioned, can have unintended consequences. This was a powerful reminder that mindfulness must extend beyond our own actions to include the actions we indirectly support.
Being Intentional
As I sat there, allowing the lesson to sink in, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. The sting on my cheek was a gentle nudge from the universe, a reminder to always be aware and present, not just in my intentions, but in the broader impact of my actions.
In the end, this retreat turned into a profound journey of self-discovery and mindfulness for me. It was a reminder that our actions, no matter how small, have a ripple effect that extends beyond our immediate intentions. It taught me the importance of staying aware of not just what we do, but also what we support and how we contribute to the world around us.
As I left the retreat, I carried with me not just memories of a beautiful experience, but a renewed sense of mindfulness and awareness. I learned that it’s not just about having good intentions, but also about being conscious of the broader impact of our actions. This experience has deepened my commitment to living mindfully and ensuring that my actions, and the actions I support, align with my values of compassion and respect for all living beings.
Because of this incident with the bee, I’ve become more mindful and intentional in all aspects of my life. I realized that even though my intention was never to harm, I must also be mindful of the ripple effect my actions—and the actions I enable—can have.
This experience became a profound reminder that mindfulness isn’t just about what we do directly; it’s also about the awareness we bring to every moment, every interaction, and every decision.
The retreat ended with laughter, connection, and heartfelt goodbyes. But I left with more than just warm memories—I left with a renewed commitment to live and act with deep awareness. And now, whenever I see a bee, I don’t just think of nature’s beauty; I think of the powerful lesson it gifted me.
I also discovered a few simple remedies along the way. Applying a penny to the sting helped lower the intensity of the bite, easing the discomfort. And later, using fresh aloe from my backyard soothed and nourished my skin, helping it heal significantly.
- Have you ever had a small experience—like a bee sting—that left a big impact on your life? What did it teach you?
- In what ways do you practice mindfulness in your daily routines?
- Have you ever noticed the ripple effect of your actions—where even small choices created unexpected outcomes?
- Do you know or use any natural remedies for stings, bites, or other surprises from nature?
#Mindfulness #NLPMasterSuccessCoach #PersonalGrowth #SelfAwareness #Empowerment #BeMindful