Five Lessons We Can Learn from Bees

There are many forms and manifestations of life. Human beings are only one of them. Our capacity to think abstractly and transform our reality stands out. However, there are many species that surpass us in other aspects. For example, we can learn many lessons from bees.

For starters, colonies are extraordinary social structures. They’re harmonious and efficient communities where teamwork reigns. Perhaps it’s safe to say that no human society has ever reached that level of unity. Therefore, this is one of the many lessons we can learn from bees.

These small insects play a vital role in the balance of life on Earth. For instance, many other living beings depend on their daily activities as well as the proper functioning of hives. Essentially everything they do contributes to the environment.

1. Teamwork: One of the lessons we can learn from bees

In the world of bees, you can never speak in singular form. Although each of them makes an individual contribution, their goal is the common good. Colonies are perfectly organized social structures in which each individual does a different task. Nevertheless, all tasks are synchronized with each other.

In our human world, we all truly depend on each other. However, we’ve created the illusion of individualism. Although all of the clothes we wear and the food we eat comes from others, sometimes we believe that we’re self-sufficient.

2. Assume a role and carry it out fully

Each bee has a specific role in the hive. There’s no confusion over everyone’s tasks since each one knows what it has to do and carries it out. That little insect society is surprisingly complex. In general, there’s a queen, the drones, and the workers. However, the latter further divide into specific roles.

Humans should learn from bees that everyone should play a role in the collective plane. In our societies, this is really complicated since we can change jobs whenever we want to. Nevertheless, while performing a specific task, it’s best to concentrate exclusively on it, as bees do.

3. Mutual care

When a bee collects nectar, it doesn’t do it for itself. Namely, it does so because it’s essential for the survival of the hive. For instance, the bees who collect nectar only live approximately 30 days. However, the time required to produce the honey is two months. In other words, they never get to see the fruit of their labor. Their level of generosity is astounding.

In today’s world, human beings are usually never that generous nor think about others besides themselves. So much so that we’ve made life impossible for several species. In the same way, many believe that it’s reasonable to throw someone under the bus if it’ll benefit them. We should learn to be generous like bees.

4. An impressive memory

Bees are small insects with amazing brains. Sometimes they have to travel long distances and still find their way back to their hive. Accordingly, they identify reference points that allow them to remember their journey back home. Scientists have also discovered that bees even have basic mathematical skills.

Humans should learn that no animal species is inferior. It’s possible that bees have better memories than most people since humans have to write everything down on paper to remember it. Thus, one of the lessons we can learn from bees is to admire life in all of its forms.

5. Equality and a sense of justice

The drones inside the hives have a special role. They’re the males and their role is to fertilize the queen. They don’t have to work like the worker bees, but that doesn’t mean that their privileges don’t have a price.

On the one hand, only the strongest of them manages to fecundate the queen. When it does so, it dies. The others are expelled from the hive and must wander until they’re accepted into another. Also, if things get difficult in the winter, it’s the drones who must leave which means they’re basically condemned to die.

This organization method is fair. Bees share privileges and duties equally.