Being

“Where we choose to be can directly influence our experience of being.”

Often, we make to-do lists, but very rarely do we make to-be lists.  One of the most famous questions was asked by Hamlet when he was in the middle of his grieving process, realizing that we all will experience “being” and eventually “not being” one day. If we choose to be, then it might be good to explore the answers to the questions about what and where we are actually choosing to be. 

What to be or what not to be: 

The place to start might be acknowledging what we are choosing to be and what pleasant and unpleasant consequences come with that choice. There are some things that we cannot choose about our being, but from what we can choose, we should carefully consider what we want to be and what we don’t want to be. 

Where to be or where not to be: 

Where we choose to be can directly influence our experience of being. This afternoon, a bee was buzzing around Chris’ arm.  Of all of the places for the bee to be, it was choosing to be around Chris.  From what I know about bees, they search for flowers or plants to give them nourishment, while also aiding in the pollination process.  Chris had none of these things that plants have to offer the bee, so instead of fulfilling that task of enjoying nutrients and being purposeful, the bee was getting nothing and being annoying. 

It made us wonder why, with all of the open space and more purposeful places for the bee to be, it would choose to be around a human. Some people tend to choose to be where there is no nourishment or purpose too.  They float around in places where they are more irritating than purposeful, and when others try to swat them away, they use their stinger. What would help us, as people, be more focused on being where there is something more fulfilling than someone just constantly shooing us away? That seems like a lose-lose place to be.

Sometimes, we might choose to go to certain places to prove that we have a stinger and aren’t afraid to use it. Just because the bee has a stinger does not mean that a bee needs to use it. Just because people have the capacity for cruelty does not mean that it is our purpose to use it. Being cruel tends to be a defense mechanism. 

With all of the activities that we have at our disposal, why wouldn’t we choose that which makes the most sense for what we were created to be?  We should ask ourselves where the “plants” are that nourish us and give us purpose. When we find out, we can go there and enjoy being nourished and purposeful.  After all, would a bee need to sting a flower? Probably not.    

Instead of making a to-do list this month, make a list of what and where to be (plants that nourish and provide purpose) and what and where not to be (the swatting humans that provoke your stinger).  Enjoy being nurtured by your purpose: your reason for being.