Transition from cold to warm: the bug factor

You can’t have everything. When you make a switch, you’re never going to get perfection at the new place.

You’re going to leave behind lots of good, and discover new disappointments.

I traded a Canadian climate for a southern climate, and yes, my my my, it truly is pleasant here!

Of course, it’s also humid.

Now, that’s usually good (I no longer need face cream or lip balm!), but sometimes not-so-good (I froze last winter in the same temperatures that used to feel warm and comfortable!).

But the thing that bugs me…

In the process, I traded a 90% bug-free existence (yes, even in the outdoors!) for regular encounters and conversations with multi-legged little creatures (yes, even indoors!).

I now have a “bug taxi” (a re-purposed clear plastic cherry tomatoes box) which I use to escort them back outside to their true home.

Who said YOU could come into my house?!?!
Me

Join me on my walks outside in the area (and inside the house) in this short bug video (with music!). I put it together from photos and videos of my frequent encounters with critters, some of which I have never seen before in my life.

[Click on the orange lizard!]

The Spiritual Connection

As I like looking for the spiritual connections, I have to wonder: what could be the spiritual value of insects?

I can see the physical value of insects in general from learning about their valuable roles in the environments. And they are near the bottom of the food chain, so without them, the bug-eating animals would not be able to survive, and on and on up the chain.

Do they represent a valuable spiritual lesson in our lives?

I would say so. Through butterflies, for example, we see the concept of rebirth, the earthy giving way to the heavenly and the glorious. And ants are role models for hard work, tenacity, patience.

The less appealing and the pesky insects can also point us to the fact that this world is not all there is; and it’s not permanent. It’s not our final resting place. The earth has changed since it was formed, and I believe that once-helpful and beneficial bugs mutated into pests. [Here and also here are interesting reads on the subject.]

Maybe there are bugs because God just has a great sense of humor! [This woman’s experience will give you a good chuckle!]

Something to ponder

Let’s ponder the significance of these tiny little creatures in the world (and in our lives) that are capable of great disruptions. Look at the flies, gnats and locusts that God used to persuade Pharaoh to set the 600,000 Jewish slaves free from his oppression! Or how about a similar, more recent, report on the power of locusts?

The world is becoming a crazy, often scary, place. There’s no time like the present to think deeper spiritually.

In fact, thinking deeper about spiritual things is one of the factors that brought about this transition in my life!

You might find one of these interesting: a simple little article about growing spiritually, and a straightforward approach with a bit more “meat”.