What frightens you?

Seeing as it is October a.k.a. the spooky season, I felt it appropriate to reflect on fears. Fears spawned in childhood are particularly powerful; hard to remove. I would guess some of us adults have outgrown many of our fears from youth. However, there are always tangible remnants still floating about in the depths of our psyches. Fears are both rational and irrational. Some that you can convince yourself not to worry so much about, others that remain with a firm grip, never to be removed.

One such fear I possess to this day is the fear of bees. Yes bees. Those small black and yellow honey makers. Those flying pollen pushers. Those...Angry flying hypodermic needles! At least that is what I used to call them before I learned more about them. A thing about fears that is so interesting is that we fear what we don't know or understand. It is in our nature. It has aided us since the dawn of time and will continue to do so throughout the existence of humankind. Now, the story behind the origin of my fear will be shared in yet another tale for a later date. But the way I moved passed my fairly rational fear is that of learning.

Throughout my youth and into adulthood I came across articles, documentaries, and various videos on the subject of bees. If you've never studied them, they are actually quite fascinating creatures. Not to mention vital to the health of our planet and food supply. I learned about their habits, life cycle, and even cooler, that they dance to communicate with each other. Talk about interpretative dance! Imagine doing the Cha-Cha to order food at a restaurant. That would be amazing! Although, I'm pretty sure I would go hungry. I am not a good dancer. Anyway, after learning more and more about their protective instincts and how they defend the hive, I grew to appreciate them more and fear less.

In fact, at my home, there was a huge row of bushes that flowered in the spring. During that time, literally thousands of honeybees would buzz around from flower to flower, pollenating away. Never once, during my yardwork, playtime with my sons, or at all during my comings and goings, was I ever assaulted by rogue bees looking for blood or to sample my flesh. Surprisingly, I found them entertaining to watch, from a comfortable distance, as they worked busily. Over the years, I looked forward to the Spring to witness them conducting themselves accordingly as custodians of our world's beauty.

So, no longer does my heart race irrationally when I see a small black and yellow striped friend fly around my head. No longer do I lose my train of thought when a buzzing bee floats into the room during the warmer times of year. No longer do I run and scream like a scared immature child, crying for someone to get rid of the thing that hums in my vicinity. No, I just admire and appreciate the marvelous honeybee, while still giving some distance. I mean those things still have stingers and will sacrifice themselves for the good of the hive, if the need calls for it. On the other side of the spectrum of bees, however, when it comes to hornets, wasps, or yellow jackets, attack and destroy those evil flying hypodermic needles with extreme prejudice! I mean it! They're carnivorous and are all around a**holes. You've been warned!