A Lesson From A Bug

[Guest guest]

-A Lesson From A Bug-

One hot summer day in 1999 a fly buzzed past me many times. I

became annoyed and killed it, but when I did, a feeling overcame me

I'll always remember. This tiny life form inside my hands was fading

away, and I was responsible. As I felt the life leaving it's body,

chills of great discomfort, deep sorrow and regret humbled me to stop

and think. Quickly I opened my hands, sincerely apologized to it and

said a prayer before sending it away. I felt no pleasure in it's

demise and thought, " We shouldn't have this kind of power to destroy

life so easily " . From then on I vowed to do my best to send the

critters back outside, I'd gentely capture them without causing harm,

and tell them my intent was sincere. Can you imagine being so tiny

and being lifted by a huge object, you'd be so frightened... since

then I avoid taking another's life, unless it spreads disease, like

cockroaches, or endangers my life. Until that day, I enjoyed killing

bugs. When bees buzz past me I assure them I'm their friend, most

times they don't sting me. I'd never attempt killing one so

formidable, and should give the same respect to the less defensless

beings. If I were a hunter I'd only take what I needed, and show

respect for that life. I do my best to respect all life as part of my

family.

Maybe being nearsighted is good sometimes, it's usually hard for me

to catch flying insects anyway.

This tiny bug, who seems so insignificant to many people, taught me

a most valuable and powerful lesson on a much deeper level than I

already knew, not just the intellectual level, about myself and how

we all fit into this world. I remembered this incident when speaking

to a friend who, like me, has a Native heart. She said we can learn

the greatest lessons from the smallest creatures. We were in a chat

program where many people take power names like buffalo, eagle, wolf,

but forget the smaller animals, so I called myself a bug, in

appreciation for the lesson, in respect and honor of the fly who's

life was cut short by my angry hands. In memory and thanks to all the

beings I've encountered, big and small, and many I know only in

spirit, you've taught me many things which I'll always remember. I

pray for the beings killed unnecessarily by angry hands, closed

hearts and minds. -Sincerely, A SilverSpirit-