Busy as a Bee

I’ve just read a short story by Laurie King, author of a wonderful mystery series featuring Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes. Yes, that’s right, Sherlock himself. It’s a fun, well-written series worth exploring, if you haven’t read it yet. The latest volume in the series will be out soon, but in advance of that a new short story was released, called Beekeeping for Beginners. It covers the moment in which Sherlock Holmes, now retired and living as a beekeeper on the Sussex Downs, first meets Mary Russell  — and mistakes her for a young boy. He takes her under his wing and teaches her rules of detection, as well as discussing beekeeping.

I thought the three basic principles of beekeeping which he outlines were strangely applicable to our own lives as well. Here are his rules, with my own commentary.

Rule One: Remain Calm

Sherlock states that if they move slowly and deliberately, their calm will make them invisible. The bees won’t see them as dangerous and won’t become aggressive. How many times could we apply this to our own situation? If we remain calm and react in a measured way to the various provocations of life we can reduce the instances of aggression. Arguments, disagreements, misunderstandings… they might all be less frequent or even just less violent if we could remain calm and decrease our own appearance of being dangerous. We can use our self-awareness and ability to be reasonable just like beekeepers use smoke; to make the bees more relaxed and less angry before we approach. Hot words and unconsidered accusations can pour oil on the fire, but if we calm the waters on our approach we can accomplish more with less fuss.

Rule Two: One must be cruel, only to be kind

Here Sherlock is referring to the practice of  “re-queening” a hive — removing the old queen that the hive is accustomed to and slowly introducing a new one. He states that it takes a few days for the bees to get used to a new queen but then she is in charge once more, and in a fascinating comment reveals that queens have personalities that shape the whole hive.

What about our own lives? Is there a “queen” we need to replace? Is there a habit that is dragging you down, or an attitude that you are tired of and want to get rid of? A change you wish to make? Take your lead from beekeeping and do it slowly…introduce your new queen and let yourself adjust. Making the decision to remove the old queen is the start; then add in the habit/attitude/action you want to incorporate and slowly follow the lead of your new addition. You may have to do this repeatedly, but sooner or later your “hive” will adjust to the leadership of your new Queen.

Rule Three: Never cease to feel wonder

This may be the most important rule of all! Sherlock tells Mary that despite all the knowledge and structure of beekeeping, the bees can still surprise and amaze. They are marvellous before we even begin to approach.

We can nurture our sense of wonder by paying attention to what is around and within us. Whether that is literally by walking in the world or by exploring our existence through reading, wonders can surprise and enlighten us if we are ready for them. Journaling can assist us by recording what we’ve seen and marvelled at in the world, and by allowing us to dig deeper and discover what is inside as well. Never let go of that capacity to be surprised and to wonder at the world around us. It’s what makes life magical.

Related posts:

1. The Royal Treatment
2. The “Busy Drug”