Rise Again Stronger

Could the beehive be our greatest model of a living society, of care, love , of community and what it means to be human? I think one of our biggest mistakes and misgivings is thinking a society can’t evolve, is set and done and humankindness our biggest trait, can’t evolve. Humankindness can evolve, it can and should …. Through each passing and learned day

Spending time in the hospital, and in recovery, I’ve leaned into different views, ideas, expanding into new territories. One new area I’m learning more about is stocism , a Greek and Roman philosophy that teaches us about community with clear connection and alignment to the beehive and the hive mentality. I see stoicism important in my Rise Again Stronger opportunity mantra especially around the community ethos, community based support where I see new opportunities to spend and invest my energies. Like I said in chapter 1, from my stroke, an opportunity to learn, expand and grow.

I believe as a society we’ve reinforced and indoctrinated a “society of taking”, like a big land grab with little regard to giving back. Much I believe stems from not being taught growing up in the formative years and lacking a blue print or examples coming from leaders ..

Learning from the beehive and stoicism concepts and putting into daily practice may be our slow shift to a more, evolved “society of giving”. How do we know when things have evolved, or the proof, it’s evident in our conversations and lives, replacing other news stories. I don’t see this about politics or political change but about embracing our human virtue and the potential within

Spoiler message alert from within the post

Make caring and community cool again

I’m inspired and amazed by the inner workings and system of a bee hive. And the clear overlap and alignment between the beehive with the stoicism philosophy. Much to learn from the hive community as natures most successful mentor for millions of years

Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Seneca both Stoic philosophers once wrote

“ What’s bad for the hive is bad for the bee”( or the individual)

The hive metaphor suggests that “ true strength and prosperity come from contributing to the greater good”

“Like a hive mentality, humans are treated as part of a single organism, wherein our individual selves are best served by taking into account everyone’s needs”

“Collective Good: The “hive” represents community and society. An individual’s actions should benefit the whole, because what harms the community ultimately harms the individual”

“The “Social Animal”: Stoics believe humans possess a natural affinity for one another, and we thrive by working together.”

The philosophy “suggests that community is not merely for utility, but a sphere for expressing virtue and shared humanity”. 

“The belief that serving the community is not merely a polite suggestion, but a requirement of human nature, similar to how a foot acts as part of a body”

“People exist for one another”

“Does something in your neighborhood need to change? Go change it. Will you succeed? Who knows? Do your best work”

 “The bee colony exhibits high levels of care,communication, and intelligence—often called a “hive mind”

Where does this lead?

Change in an entrenched societal system can feel overwhelming, like turning a cruise ship in a small body of water – but I believe change can occur organically through new, active voices and leaders speaking a new language and vernacular changing the narrative to collective and shared responsibility – the new leaders, our new role models for the youth to emulate and follow – under the unified message “

make caring and community cool again”.

It can start small focused on those who are alone, the most vulnerable, the poor and marginalized, the ones in most need..

Examples: Reading a book to an elderly person who is living alone, going grocery shopping, sharing a dinner, mowing a yard for a neighbor, picking up garbage in a local park, volunteering locally .. The force multiplier effect, the small things when added together, make a big change and a difference.

The inspiration behind

This belief system and thinking came about from my time in the hospital and the medical community caring for me. The team working together – like a hive, the day and night nurses, the doctors, the kitchen staff, the physical therapist, the surgeons. The team unified and focused on health, compassion and recovery of the patient . If the team is misaligned or not working or communicating together or in sync, it hurts the patient . Also behind this post while also in the hospital at the time of discharge, the insurance paperwork process and figuring out next steps and where to continue treatment seemed overwhelming and complex and thought how impossibly confusing and frustrating it might be for someone elderly and alone ..I kept thinking and picturing an elderly person post stroke living alone and kept coming back to the same thing – we as a society need to care for our elderly as they cared for us

In terms of music, I’ve shared in an earlier post about the power of music therapy and in healing . I’m inspired by musicians, artists and writers who believe in community uniting people, and shared humanity. Musicians because I really think when they play, they find a transcendent place in the music.. Jimi Hendrix, had this concept of a “ SkyChurch” a place of music and spiritual force, uniting people of all backgrounds with music as a divine connector . Bob Marley and his One Love anthem advocating “ for togetherness in a divided world, urging people to find hope and overcome obstacles through collective action. Eddie Vedder is another voice who leads with shared humanity, unity and purpose..

Within the bee colony are roles and different responsibilities, The Queen Bee, the Queen’s attendant, the Drone, the Architect, the Forager, The Guard, all working in harmony and for the greater hive.

Next time you see a bee hive, you might think differently

Make caring cool again

Rise Again Stronger