The Birds, Ants and Bees

Look Up. Life lessons are all around you.

Look Up. Life lessons are all around you.

There was a string of weird, unpredictably nice weather. Going for a walk you can hear the leaves being crushed under each step. The incense of freshly cut grass is in the air.

To the right is a rosasharn bush at least 7 feet tall. To the left a tree invaded by small birds. Have you ever looked up from your phone to observe the beauty around you? I admit I don’t always, but today I did. I got close to the rosasharn bush that had white, pink and purple flowers. Inside the purple flower was a bee, coated and covered in pollen. In the white flower, there were dozens of ants. Behind me was the tree invaded by birds, some building nests.

Birds, ants and bees work all year to prepare for winter. They do not stop. All they know is work. I read a passage in Meditations by Marcus Aurelius ; Gregory Hays (translation) book 5 in the opening. Marcus the Emperor of Rome, makes a point that if the birds, ants and bees can be busy working, creating they world they want and wish, why can’t I? Marcus loved sleep and had a hard time getting out of bed each day. So he makes this observation:

Here is the passage of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius ; Gregory Hays (translation) book 5:

“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?

— But it’s nicer here….

So you were born to feel “nice”? Instead of doing things and experiencing them? Don’t you see the plants, the birds, the ants and spiders and bees going about their individual tasks, putting the world in order, as best they can? And you’re not willing to do your job as a human being? Why aren’t you running to do what your nature demands?

— But we have to sleep sometime….

Agreed. But nature set a limit on that — as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. You’ve had more than enough of that. But not of working. There you’re still below your quota.”

The lesson here, something can always be done. Laziness is a sure way to end up unhappy, broke and unhealthy. So wake up early, get to work, keep learning and earn the right to be tired.

Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read on money, marriage, parenting, self-improvement, development and his thoughts. Dan is also Founder/Creator of Roman Solutions, a Personal Finance Firm that currently provides coaching and education.

To connect with Dan visit: linktr.ee/bydanroman

Or by email : financialdifference@danromansolutions.com