Thursday, February 5, 2009

Just Bee-cause...

Welcome SITS-tahs! I'm so excited you're here! Don't you just love Heather and Tiffany?! I've met some of the. nicest. people. thanks to them. I can't say enough about how much I appreciate all their hard work and what a blessing SITS has been to me.

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So you may be wondering, "what's with the bees?" When I was in college, my dad gave me a book by Mamie McCullough called "I Can, You Can Too". Looking back on it now, it seems corny, but at the time it changed my life. Ms. McCullough is an inspirational speaker that was affiliated with Zig Ziglar, the motivation mogul. The book is rife with clever quips about "stinkin' thinkin'" and your "hopeometer". Chapter 1 opens with the story of the bumblebee:

"Scientists have proven that it is aerodynamically impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Its body is too heavy, and its wings are too light. You've probably read about this phenomenon before. However, the bumblebee doesn't read--it just flies!"

I was fascinated by this. Now of course, there are spoilsports out there who refute this illustration saying that it is, obviously, possible for bumblebees to fly. Therefore, why would anyone say they couldn't? Especially a trained scientist in the field of aerodynamics. (These are probably the same people who delight in informing small children that it is logistically impossible for Santa to visit every household in the world on Christmas Eve.) Talk about your "stinkin' thinkin'"--Sheesh! They are missing the point, which is that the bumblebee doesn't focus on the negatives and is therefore able to accomplish things that might otherwise seem impossible.

I like this line of thinking. So that is why I used the bumblebee legend in my classroom to motivate students. That is why I named my jewelry business QuirkyBee Designs. And that is why my blog is entitled "To Bee or Not To Bee". Because in each of those areas, one must focus on the positive if they are to take flight and be successful--whether its a kindergarten student learning to read; someone with no training or artistic background creating jewelry; or a somewhat shy, very guarded person posting rambling literary rants for all the cyber-world to read.

I also like honeybees. Did you know that after a female honeybee stings something, she dies? Part of her is left behind. She is passive, unless provoked and then she is willing to sacrifice her life. That reminds me of Jesus. He gave His life to redeem us from our sin, left part of himself with us (the Holy Spirit) and replaced the sting of death with eternal life for those who believe.

And neither the honeybee, nor Jesus can be refuted by the party-pooper skeptics.

"As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced..."
2 Corinthians 11:10 (ESV)

185 comments:

Paige said...

i LOVE it!! especially about the female honeybee..interesting.
i was always curious about your fascination with bees...now i know:)

Lora said...

I love that you made this post so that we could get to know your story a little more. Congratulations--I really like your blog!

Megan said...

Congrats on being Featured!! =D Awesome!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your special day! Enjoy it!

Eve said...

What a wonderful inspiration!

Happy SITS Day!

Michelle said...

Great post and congrats on being the featured blogger over on SITS!

ENjoy!

TuTu's Bliss said...

Congrats on your special day. feel free to buzz by anytime!! Hugs, jen

Patrice said...

Happy SITS day! congratulations!!

Louisa Claire said...

Hello and Happy SITS day! Hope you feel very loved today! Thanks for sharing about the bees..very interesting and great to get to know some more about you!

Corine (@ComplicatedMama) said...

What a great little story...

I thought all bees lost their stingers, not just female honey bees- who knew.

I stopped by your esty shop, and I must say I really like the Bee Wing necklace! Very cute.

Enjoy your day as featured blogger!!

Talk to you later Sitsta :)

The Blonde Duck said...

Happy SITS day!

Being Me said...

Oh! What a gorgeous post, I love it :)

Another SITSta (a really green newbie) here, from Australia.

Diva Scrapper said...

Congrats to your SITS day!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

I did not know all thatabout bees! Love that you are a teacher (Me too!) and your blog is super cute. Blessings to you today!

The Rambler said...

Congratulations on your day as the Featured Blogger!!!! How exciting :)

Sandy said...

Thanks for sharing such a neat story! Happy SITSday:0)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!!

Astrid in Bristling Acres said...

I was wondering where the name came from!

One thing about the stinger that people should know- if you get stung don't squeeze the stinger (by trying to pinch it)! Scrape the stinger off! And if you don't stinger it wasn't a honeybee that stung you- more likely a wasp.

Unknown said...

stopping by from SITS to say hi... honey bees have lots of lessons to teach us... esp about being busy!!!! come check out my superawesome giveaway of 13 Essential Things to make it through a long cold winter... there's only a few days left to enter!!!!

MDtripmom said...

Enjoy your special SITS day! :)

Heather said...

Happy SITS Day!!!

Monica said...

Congratulations on being featured!!

Green said...

Visiting from SITS, congrats on being a featured SITSta!!

Megan said...

Congrats on your FB day!

I love that post. Very inspirational. And I love the verse you chose to go with it. Perfect.

Have a wonderful day.

Tina said...

I love how you've incorporated the bee into everything. Very cool. Congrats on your SITS day!

Becky said...

Congrats on your special day! Its a gonna "bee" a busy one!

Happy SITS day;)

Queenie Jeannie said...

Over from SITS! Congratulations on your special day!!

Its Me(SARA) Behind the Camera said...

Came Over From SITs!!!

I love your blog! :)

The Wife O Riley said...

Congrats on being the FB! What a lovely story, thanks for sharing!

Chrissy said...

Very cute blog! :o) I love it!

Amanda in GA said...

Congrats on being the FB at SITS today!

I love the honeybee story. It has always been a favorite of mine.

Lovely blog you have a very cute family.

Donn24g said...

Congrats on your special day!!! What a neat line of thinking-- ill have to check into that book:)

Princess Abigail said...

My, you SO do NOT sound like a somewhat shy, very guarded person posting rambling literary rants for all the cyber-world to read.

I enjoyed this read a lot! An I will be back SISTA!

Alison in France
The Bernard Bunch

Anonymous said...

Stopping by from SITS! I love your "bees" and how you drew a parallel between the bees and our Lord! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

Great post and congrats on being featured! I'll have to browse some more!

Island Girl said...

Thanks for sharing how your blog got its name, I love it! I'll never look at a bee the same way again :)

Bramblemoon Farm said...

Congrats on being saucy! I love the bee story, and your blog name. It's neat that you keep the memory of the book and the bee story in your life by doing this.

Tiffany said...

Wow! I like the way you think. You said it very well. Congrats on your SITS day too.

roy/elisabeth dean said...

I have a lot more respect for bees now! What a great post~
Congrats on your sits-day...FUN! I'm sure we'll all be reading all about you !
Have a wonderful day~
♥ Lilly

Dina said...

congrats on your sits day. fascinating about the bee's i love it. i also like it because to me honey is the elixer of life, we use it for every ailment around here!

Leah said...

love your post and the verses you included.

visiting from SITS...

have a GREAT day! :)

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

So glad to find you. And I LOVE the lesson from the Bumblebee. I taught that to my daughter hen she was 4 and she still talks about it.

Kori said...

Awesome post. Loved it.

Congratulations on being featured over at SITS!

larkswing said...

I am glad you are featured on SITS - love your blog!

Bethany said...

Congratulations on your special day!! :)

Erica said...

I love your blog! May God richly bless you for being willing to share your faith with the blogging community! Have a wonderful day!

jo@blog-diggidy said...

great truth!! great blog, too. congrats on being SITS FB!!

Teri said...

I love your positive take on life. I try to do this myself...most of the time. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of this.

In from SITS!

Lori said...

Congrats on being featured! Enjoy your special day.

mommy4life said...

Congrats on your SITS day. Thanks for the Bee reminder. We would all be better off if we focused on the positives in life....

Brindi said...

Love the story behind your blog name!

angi_b72 said...

Stopping from SITS!

Maridith said...

Hello and what a great post. Congratulations on being featured today! You are very insightful & very smart! Maridith

Anonymous said...

Congrats on being a featured blogger. I hope you have a great SITS day!

Anonymous said...

Oh Happy Day! Enjoy your SITS glory.
And the female honeybee paragraph was right on!

Unknown said...

Hiya! Congrats on being the FB for the day! ;)

And I love your bumblebee story. Great one! Very heartfelt!

AngiDe said...

Hey! Happy SITS day to you! Congrat's!

Angie
"Nana's Box"

Sarah said...

Great post! Happy SITS Day!

Debie Napoleon said...

Congrats on your special SITS day! It's great to have the support of your fellow bloggers.

P.S. Loved the Wite House suit and how cool was that!

Monica said...

Congrats on being saucy! I love your postitive attitude! But when we have Jesus, how can we not be positive!!! Keep up the good work.

Spring M Fricks said...

I love it. So awesome. Especially the tie in between Jesus and the honeybee. So true. I wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for Holy Spirit. Amen to that.

Aunt Julie said...

Congrats on your Featured Blogger Status!

Jingle said...

Congrats on your feature! I've always loved that little fact about bees! Oh, and I thought your joke in the last post was hilarious! LOL!

Amanda said...

Congrats on being the feature blog! I have been looking around and your blog is very cool!

Marrdy said...

I did know that female honey bees die after stinging but I do love the comparison with Jesus. Never thought about that! Congrats on your SITS day. Can't wait to get to know you.

Jade Bordeaux said...

I absolutly LOVED THIS POST! My daughter is just learning to read in kindergarten, and I am going to tell her all about the honeybee's tonight!
And your comparison to Jesus, was brilliant. Absolutly!

Anonymous said...

Congratulation on your SITS day. I love this post. Great name for your blog, great way of looking at accomplishing the impossible. With His help, of course.

Denise Grover Swank said...

I love your history. Its wonderful to have something like that to tie your life together. Happy SITS day!

Rachel@just another day in paradise said...

great post. cute blog.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

wow, that is so interesting! i love the story behind your blog name and all the bees :)

happy sits feature day!

Carrie said...

Congrats Sitsta on being featured. I love your post that gives us more insight on you. Especially the part about Jesus and the bumble bees. I will be following you from now on. Great Blog!
xoxo

Reeni said...

Came to say hi from SITS. Enjoy your day of being saucy!!!

Mammatalk said...

Happy SITS Day! I just know you will be lathered with comments!

Mammatalk said...

Love Zig , by the way. And bees. Have you read The Secret Life of Bees? It is full of great "bee" quotes.

Little Birdie Secrets said...

Congrats on your SITS day...hope its happy!

Lesley said...

I love your blog....love it...and I am so glad you are the FB of the day....you so deserve all the SITS love

Anonymous said...

Came over from SITS...love your blog! I will have to share your bee post with my daughter who is terrified of bees! A new way of looking at them...

Chandy said...

Congratulations on being featured!

Fellow SITStah, Carolyn from Complicated Simplicity

Enjoy the award! Your blog is awesome!

Tiffany said...

Love it. In life, your perspective is everything.

You have a fabulous blog and I hope ou enjoy all your comment love! We hope you continue to participate in SITS!

{leah} said...

Yeah for the SITS!!!! Happy FB day!

Danyele Easterhaus said...

love it! and i love ur little bloggy here. happy FB day! i'm off to look around more. honey bee's rock!

Vickie said...

Congrats on being the Featured Blogger.

Interesting stroy behind the bee names. Thanks for sharing:)

Anonymous said...

I've heard the story of the honeybee many times and every darn time it inspires me!

Thanks for reminding me to stop with the stinkin' thinkin' too!

Nice blog.

Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Love your last paragraph. Congrats on being the Queen Bee of the Day. ;)

Anti-Supermom said...

Aren't bees the most interesting thing?

Happy day, Sitsta~

Steph at Problem Solvin' Mom said...

What a great inspirational post, thanks for giving us a little something back on your big day, SITSta! :)

Aileigh said...

Congratulations on your day! I will have to poke around a little more! :)

Courtney said...

Ive never thought of a bee like that, good comparison!

Allison said...

So cool...Happy SITS day!

Ashley said...

Wow! What an interesting story. I had no idea about bees. Learn something new everyday! Try to be more like a bee. Haha! Congrats on your SITS feature!!

Kate said...

Happy SITS Day!! I love the meaning behind the name of your blog!

Kate said...

Happy SITS Day!! I love the meaning behind the name of your blog!

Unknown said...

Very intersting stuff about the bee's, I did know that that about the female actually.

Have a Happy Sits day!

Trish said...

What wonderful natural insight you have! I just really enjoy reading your blog! I am so glad that SITS featured you today!

Happy SITStaing!

Anonymous said...

Dropping by from SITS to say congrats on your feature! Loved the Bee anecdote!

Suzi said...

congrats on being the SITS blogger-it's sooo much fun!

jennifersusan said...

Happy SITS Day!!! I really like your blog!!!!

chellekay said...

Happy SITS day! congratulations!!

Lisette said...

Congrats on being featured!

The Royal Family said...

Great analogy. The sacrafices that other people give... IT's great to be able to open our eyes and aknowledge them.

EVEN if they are bee's... I hate bees.. :( Just terrified!

Michelle said...

Put on your dancing shoes!! I'm popping over from SITS. Congrats on being today's FB.

What a nice post! Off to explore a little more! Have a great day!

Amanda and Katie said...

Congrats on your special SITS day!!

RamblingMother said...

Love your blog. Congrats on your SITS day.

Star Forbis said...

It's so nice to "meet" you. Cute Blog, I love the name and it's meaning!

Susie said...

Congratulations on your SITs feature. I hope you are enjoying your day in sun:-)

Lori said...

Congrats on being featured at SITS....
Happy Day..

Jen said...

Congrats on your feature day and I love that about the bumblebee. It really is a beautiful thought.

Shannon said...

Featured Blogger! YAY!!!

Brittany said...

Love this: "And neither the honeybee, nor Jesus can be refuted by the party-pooper skeptics."

Stopping by from SITS. I will be back again! Good stuff!!!

Laura said...

Congrats on your special SITS day! Hope it's a fun one!

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Happy SITS day! I have always loved the bee too--my preschool class is the bumblebee class. Gorgeous blog!

Unknown said...

loved the honeybee trivia!
Loved your blog enjoy your day in the SITS spotlight!

Anonymous said...

Hi, that's the first time I visit you, came from SITS, I like your blog! and this bees story is awesome! :)
Elodie

RebeccaMom said...

Happy Feature Day, SITStah! Hope you have a wonderful day! the bee information was interesting :)

Call Me Cate said...

Congrats on your SITS feature! I love the whole bit about the bumble bee not being able to fly. And yet there he goes...

Amy said...

What a great way of thinking! Thank you for sharing that with me. You have such a wonderfully upbeat personality. I am so glad for this opportunity to get to know you. Thank you.

Kristin said...

Hey. Visiting from SITS. Have you read The secret life of Bees. Loved the book.

Unknown said...

What a fabulous post to read when visiting someone's "place" for the first time:) Very nice!

Brooke said...

very cool :) my hubs choose to be a bee every day - he's a shy salesman! but he loves his work.

Lynda said...

Congrats on being our Saucy SITSa today - Bzzz Bzzzz!

Jennifer said...

Very interesting about the bees! I definitely like that way of thinking.

Congrats on your bigh day!!

Anonymous said...

i love your analogy between Jesus and the bee! WOW! never thought of it that way. i am a previous teacher (of 2nd grade), now i stay home with my son. i enjoyed my visit and bee factoids!

happy SITS day!!!

Jennifer said...

Happy SITS day I loved reading more about bees. I am loving your blog and the design is fabulous.

Anonymous said...

That is a great story! Never thought I could be inspired by BEES! Hope you're having a great SITS day!

The Me/ The Wife/ The Mom said...

Beautiful blog - beautiful post!
Congrats on being FB on SITS!

Unknown said...

I absolutely love your post and your blog- so glad you were featured today.

Ronnica said...

I'm so glad that you were featured today...I hope you are enjoying it!

Oh, and thanks for the explaination about the bees. Makes sense!

Tori C. said...

I am terrified of honeybees! One flew into my car through an open window and I almost had a wreck dodging it! :)

Nicole said...

Congrats on being the SITS star of the day!

Unknown said...

Love your blog, and the bee info!

Donnetta said...

Congrats! Thanks for sharing about the bees! It will be a great lesson for me to pass on to my 11 year old, who although will probably not be over 5'7", thinks he can be a pro basketball player. JUST BE POSITIVE!!

KatieSaysSo said...

stopping by from SITS!! love your blog!! Congrats on being featured! How exciting!

Unknown said...

Congrats to being today's feature! I love the story!! And I love honey, so bees have a very special place in my heart no matter what :)

Jenna Cox said...

what an incredible cute blog! Love it and congrats on the feature!

Sara said...

Love this post! Nice to get to know you. :)

Unknown said...

I love your blog layout and header!

Anonymous said...

Happy SITS day! Love your blog :)

Visit anytime
http://www.firefly-shop.org/
or
http://fireflyshop.blogspot.com/

Shell in your Pocket said...

Came over from SITS..enjoy your day!
-sandy toe

Anonymous said...

Wow... that's a really great story!! I think I might also use that to motivate my students!

Girly Do Hairstyles said...

Right on!!! Happy Sits day.

Ritch in Love said...

Ok, that was so interesting! I'm hooked and this is just the first post on your blog that I have read so far! Will explore further. Congrats on your great day in the spotlight!

Sherrie said...

Congrats on being the FB at SITS. And -- thanks for sharing such wonderful info. I did know that about the female honeybee, and it's amazing. Happy day to you!

Daughter of The King said...

What an adorable blog!

CDB said...

Oh, I love the story behind the "To Bee" (of course, the Hamlet reference, also). Great motivation for the mother of a toddler.. just keep going!

Joanna said...

Congrats on your SITS day!

Anonymous said...

I'm here from SITS and I love this post. What a great attitude to have!!

Jen Sue Wild said...

Congrats on being sausy!!!

momma said...

congrats on your special day!

Nicki said...

Hi SITSta!! Love your connection from bees to Jesus... God Bless you!!! Happy SITS Day!

Rachel Ann said...

Congrats on being a SAUCY blog...I love your blog space!

Leslie said...

Congrats on your SITS day!

- Leslie

BlueCastle said...

Congratulations on your day in the SITS sun! :)

Denise said...

I really enjoyed your blog!

Denise

Anonymous said...

What a great post!!! Congrats on being featured on SITS!!!!

Jeanne Estridge said...

Love the honeybee analogy!

Lisa said...

LOVE IT!!!! CONGRATS ON YOUR DAY!

Anonymous said...

Love the story about the bumblebee! I was a consultant in Mary Kay awhile ago and that story was one of the main motivational stories that Mary Kay herself loved. As you said, it's just so positive and uplifting.

Carla said...

Happy SITS day! (we use no stinkin thinkin in my 6/7 yo Sunday school class-that and Gordon B. Hinckley's 10 Be's (bees) from his book "Way to Be"
Go bee SITSta!!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

My name (Melissa) means honeybee in Latin.

bj said...

Congratulations on being THE ONE today...very neat blog..
bj

Anonymous said...

Love the bees!!! Congrats on being featured and you did a great job on this post. Your blog is deeelightful or maybe beeelightful is more like it!
~Robin Rane~ All Things Home

Nicole O'Dell said...

Happy sits day! Super cute blog!

Adrienne said...

I know the bee story and even have a tiny gold bee pin to boot. Hope your feeling better soon.

Kaylee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kaylee said...

Congrats on being featured with SITS, your blog is way cute, I love the bee story! Come check out my blog if you get a sec, embraceyourstyle.blogspot.com!

Rebecca Jo said...

visiting from SITS... congrats on your day....

Tara said...

It's so nice to meet you! Congrats on your special SITS day!! ♥

Unknown said...

I like you blog!! The page is cute and the posts are very good.

angie said...

Lovely post! And I always wonder why people named their blogs what they did. I'm a little late, but I hope you've enjoyed your SITS day!

Alisha said...

Hey! Here from SITS! Congrats on being featured!

Suzanne C said...

Thanks for sharing an important message on your important day. Says a lot about you. Love the bees theme.

LORI said...

I TOO AM A TEACHER, AND I HAD THAT LITTLE DITTY ABOUT THE BEE POSTED ON A BULLETIN BOARD. I LOVE IT! WHEN KIDS LEARNED TO DO SOMETHING NEW, THEY WOULD SAY, "HEY LOOK! I LEARNED HOW TO FLY!" I LOVE YOUR BLOG NAME AND YOUR BLOG! COMING AT YA FROM SITS.

Brittany said...

Just found your blog through SITS! I love it! Congratulations on being featured and thanks so much for sharing that story!

Beth said...

Just joined SITS & you're my first FB. :) It looks like a fun community & I really enjoyed your story.

SuZ said...

Oh Sweetie! You're saucy!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you! Enjoy your day!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog design and your story. Saying "hi" from SITS.

Anonymous said...

Wow,177 comments,something is working.I just found you due to SITS.I am glad I did.I'm going to read some past post now...Ann..fyi.Mary Kay Cosmetics uses the philosophy of the bubble bee also...

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with this line of thinking. My friends call me an incurable optimist. There is always another way to look at a situation, right? Your blog is fab, so glad I found it today!

Valerie said...

I'm a day late wishing you a Happy SITS day! I hope it was great. Glad I hopped over you have a great blog!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Hey girl! What a great description of your blog. My little dog is named Bee...Honey Bee is her official name. :) I can't wait to go read the rest of your posts. I saw something about Walmart....I worked there for three years and oh the stories I could tell. I can't wait to go read!

Trina said...

Mamie McCollough was a speaker one year at our teacher inservice. She was a fabulous speaker! I had a bumblebee pin that I got from her that day, but for the life of me, I don't know where it is. I'm not a big pin-wearer, so I think I must've left it on a jacket that has probably been long gone! I wish I still had it. I would send it to you.

Jana said...

Just coming over to visit! Love the bee story :) Congrats on being featured on SITS!

Tip-Tops said...

Thank you for sharing. I have a feeling I will be thinking about that story for a long time. Remember the bumble bee. hehe.
:0)

gail said...

great analogy with the bee and Jesus. hope you had a great sitsa day!

Shawnee said...

I love your post! Looking forward to visiting in the future.

Shawnee, new SITSsah