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Find Your Inner Bumblebee!

August 17, 2007 by Nicole 42 Comments

Nicole’s Inner Bumblebee

Like most of you, I read a lot of food blogs. It’s getting to the point now where you can find out just about anything you need to know about any kind of food just by searching food blogs alone.

But I’ve also come to realize that there are a lot of great blogs out there that have nothing to do with food. In fact, I am sometimes overwhelmed by the sheer amount of good, entertaining writing floating around, free for the taking, on the web (I will get to the bumble bee part soon!).

So how do I figure out what to read? It’s simple. I tend to return to blogs where I have developed some kind of relationship with the writer. It’s when I start to feel that I know someone on a personal level that I become interested in what they have to say, day to day, week to week. So whether the dialogue starts through blog comments, e-mail, IM, telephone, or even in person (as has been the case lately), it’s the dialogue that keeps me coming back.

So, as I was saying, I am a loyal reader of a few non-food blogs (yes, I divide the millions of blogs out into only two categories: food blogs and the others) and the other day I read something on a friend’s blog that stopped me in my tracks.

The post, from Emon at Emonome is called “Finding Other Bumblebees” and it broaches the well-traveled subject of learning to be yourself. It’s been said a million times in a million different ways. Learn to be yourself. Don’t worry about what the others think. Do your own thing. You have to learn to love yourself before you can find true love. But Emon’s post hit me like a ton of bricks.

You see, his post was inspired by Blind Melon’s “No Rain” video. You remember that video, right? The one with the awkward little girl in the bumble bee costume. If, at this point, you have no idea what I’m talking about, go to Emon’s post and watch the video before reading any further.

Back now? Good. Now that we’re all on the same page, I’ll tell you why that post and that video have been running through my head for the past three days. Everyone loved that video when it came out all those years ago. But one person in particular really loved that video. And that person was my mom.

My mom loved that video. My mom was that video. My mom was the only person I know who could wear that bumble bee costume when everyone else in the world was wearing something different.

This was her costume: 501 jeans and Birkenstocks (before they were cool); long straight hair and no make-up; neon-colored sunglasses (free from Carl’s Jr.) and Fresno Grizzlies t-shirts; a purse large enough to smuggle super big gulps into movie theaters; clog-dancing in the supermarket; Pearl Jam concerts; howling at the full moon; baseball games and sign language classes; blues festivals and art films.

That was my mom. That was K. She did what she wanted, she wore what she wanted, and people loved her. My mom was killed by a drunk driver almost 10 years ago. My sister and I were both in college, searching for own inner bumble bees. And I never had a chance to ask her how she found the courage to be herself.

It does take courage to be yourself, more courage than any self-help book will ever tell you. I’ve struggled my whole life trying to figure out who I am and what I want to be. And right in the middle of figuring it all out, my world came crashing down around me. I survived, as we all do after the death of a loved one. But when I re-emerged , I was missing some parts. We all were.

I had to start my search over, from scratch. Except this time around, without my mom as a role model, I was asking the wrong questions: Who should I be? What do others want me to be? I didn’t realize that this change had taken place. It no longer even occurred to me that I already was the person I wanted to be or that I was already doing the things I should have be doing. But that’s changing now.

Those of you have visited Pinch My Salt in the last couple of weeks know that I am now in central California visiting my family.

Coming home to California is always difficult. My mom’s house was my home. Every night I have stayed at my dad’s house, my grandmother’s house, my aunt’s house, my cousin’s house, or my friend’s house has just been a reminder that I can no longer go home. As much as I love my family, as much as they try to make my sister and I feel at home, it will never be the same.

I have been searching for a home for the past 9 years. Searching for that place where I can feel completely comfortable, where I can be myself, where I don’t have to worry about anyone or anything. Where I can just be. What I didn’t realize is that I need to find that place within myself.

It isn’t my mom’s house that I’ve been missing. It’s the feeling I had when I was around her. The feeling that I can do whatever I want and be whoever I want and who cares what the rest of the world thinks. I was taught to believe these things by both of my parents. But I lost sight of it.

Emon’s bumble bee post happened to come at the right time. If I had been in Sicily when I read it, the impact wouldn’t have been the same. I am in the right place to find my inner bumble bee. I am home.

Now, about that photo! I wasn’t the only one who was affected by the bumble bee post. JD over at FourBux was inspired not only to find his inner bumble bee but to draw it. And this in turn encouraged others to follow suit. So we now have a little community of bumble bees that seems to be growing bigger.

My bumble bee photo was something silly I did to contribute to this growing bumble bee community, but the photo was also inspired in part by Genie from The Inadvertent Gardener, whose Taking a Dare post helped me get over the fear of putting a huge photo of my face on the front page of my blog!

But most importantly, this silly bumble bee photo is a symbol of me coming to terms with some pretty important things. I am the person I want to be. I am doing the things I want to do and therefore these are the things I should be doing. And as scary as it is, I am going to accept myself for who I am and just go for it!

Nicole’s Inner Bumblebee

Thanks for listening and remember, It’s OK to Bee yourself! (sorry, couldn’t resist)

Update: I just happened to run across some other bee photos at one of my favorite food blogs, La Tartine Gourmande. I must admit, they are much more beautiful than mine 🙂

Filed Under: Miscellaneous, Recommendations

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steven Vollmer says

    August 20, 2007 at 1:43 am

    Some of the best cookbooks I've read have stories that go with the recipes. Maya Angelou, for example. Wow that is some great food, and some great stories. My passion is public education, but I can't help but let some of my other life issues cross over into my blog.
    Reply
  2. Nic says

    August 21, 2007 at 4:19 am

    A beautiful lesson, beautifully told. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your new-found you-ness. Now I have to buzz off and find a recipe for dinner.
    Reply
  3. Anali says

    August 21, 2007 at 5:31 am

    Hi Nicole! This is a beautiful post. I wasn't familiar with the song or video before, but it was really touching. Thank you for sharing you and your family with us. I'm still trying to bee the most me I can bee! By the way it was great meeting you at Blogher. ; )
    Reply
  4. ilva says

    August 21, 2007 at 2:52 pm

    I do recognize that feeling of homelessness that happens when parents pass away. I'm learning to find that inside myself and within my love for mine but it's not easy, vero? Your mother sounds like a great role model but I'm sure she thought/thinks you are a great person in your own right!
    Reply
  5. Suldog says

    August 21, 2007 at 3:49 pm

    Wonderful post! Anali directed me to your site and I'm glad she did. I had a very moving experience the other day, somewhat in a similar fashion. I saw Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary fame) in concert and he sang a song called "Don't Laugh At Me". The lyrics may be found here: http://www.lyricsdepot.com/mark-wills /dont-laugh-at-me.html In any case, I had never cried at a concert before, but I did this time. I guess the song brought back some repressed sadness about being teased as a kid. There's a line in there that goes, "Someday we'll all have perfect wings", which refers to going to Heaven, but I suppose they could be bumblebee wings, if you want :-)
    Reply
  6. Helene says

    August 22, 2007 at 10:47 am

    Thanks a lot for sharing your story. And yes, like Kalyn it reminded me of my mother´s death, and the emptiness surrounding it. I agree, it´s a journey full of false endings, but sometimes you have to go into a dead end street to realize you´re wrong. Just now, doing a local campaign, many people ask me, "Why are you doing it?" I usually tell them, that I am an engaged person and want to go into local politics, and this is the way to make my name and goal known. Usually they shudder... They don´t see the humble bee! :)
    Reply
  7. Shivapriya says

    August 22, 2007 at 7:52 pm

    I'm really sorry about ur mom. I'm really gald I met you, you are a wonderful person to know. Nice picture of ur's .Hope to meet you soon. Hugs~P
    Reply
  8. Mrs. L says

    August 23, 2007 at 5:09 am

    Wow. I don't think I'll look at a bumblebee for a while without thinking of your post. Thank you for putting yourself out there.
    Reply
  9. Dutchnic says

    August 23, 2007 at 5:44 pm

    Wow, that is awesome, Nicolea! You are brave!
    Reply
  10. Keri says

    August 24, 2007 at 7:08 pm

    Hi there- I cried. I only know you through your blog (which I adore) but your words came to me at just the right time as well....sometimes we need a little reminder that we are: we are good, we are enough, we are smart, we are pretty, we are here. Thanks for offering such a beautiful reminder.
    Reply
  11. renee says

    August 27, 2007 at 12:11 am

    thank you for the really important reminder. there are so many bees around town right now. they will help me remember that it's okay to be me and to just keep listening to my heart. your mom would be really proud of you.
    Reply
  12. Syrie says

    August 28, 2007 at 10:32 pm

    Hi Nicole, Thanks for this inpirational post. It made my heart swell and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you
    Reply
  13. Courtney says

    August 28, 2007 at 10:52 pm

    Nicole, I loved your post - it was one of those to-the-point pieces of writing that's overwhelmingly powerful because it's just so honest. There's a poem it made me think of, as well, that I expect you'll enjoy (and not just because of the feast/food metaphor - but how appropriate!): Love After Love, by Derek Walcott The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome, and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was your self. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, the photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life. ** Cheers - Courtney, Visalia, CA native
    Reply
  14. Genie says

    August 29, 2007 at 12:26 am

    I want to second Courtney's poetry contribution -- my aunt sent me that poem at a time when I most needed it, and I have returned to it again and again. I also recommend Wild Geese by Mary Oliver. It's in the same vein. :-)
    Reply
  15. wifemothermaniac says

    September 6, 2007 at 7:33 am

    Outing myself as a reader, this is my first post. This was beautiful to read, thank you for sharing it. Your mother sounds like she was an incredible woman, and my guess is that you're something like her more than you know :) bzzzzzzzz ~ Rachel
    Reply
  16. drini says

    October 8, 2008 at 5:43 am

    i couldn't resist clicking on your link there after finding your potatoe and leek recipe.. i knew there was something that clicked when i was reading it. i love that bumble bee thing, and it's so interesting how people who live completely different lives can be on the same paths. very interesting indeed. i lost my brother 9 years ago this month, so maybe it's why i'm tuned in to someone losing a special person. it sent me on a journey as you were describing and i came across this book 'a new earth' by eckhart tolle... that book and others was like crutches under my arm, so i wanted to share them with you. they can only take you so far, so like you said, it's up to us to find that place within ourselves. Again, thanks & best wishes :)
    Reply
  17. Mary says

    September 30, 2009 at 10:33 am

    This blog brought tears to my eyes. I think that is so beautiful and your mom must be very proud of you. Thanks for adding a little joy to my heart today. Bee Blessed!
    Reply
  18. Dorothy says

    February 5, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    My Mom died in August of 1979. I was 23. It really kicked me hard. On the surface I was fully functioning but inside I was a wreck and it took me quite a while to get my feet under me. Your Mom sounds wonderful and so do you. Thank you for sharing you! I came looking for Leek Soup (it will be cold and rainy tonight in California); I've never made it but yours looks like a great recipe. Thank you for the video. I had never seen it and I can't wait to share it with my college-aged sons. Again, thank you Nicole for you!
    Reply
  19. dianne terrio says

    March 6, 2011 at 10:34 am

    Your mom sounds so much like how i would love to bee.(sorry,hehe). I always have had great admiration for people like your mom. I don't know how old you are but i am 44 years old and still am looking for the same thing you are. Being free of what other people think, want, and expect of me. I hope you find your bee hive someday that will make you feel free and happy and comfortable.......Dianne. p.s i am going to make this soup today and i will be thinking of your mom and how cool she is.
    Reply
  20. Bee'n Myself says

    October 3, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    I found this via your potato leek soup recipe, and I loved it so much. I love your openness, your honesty. You have inspired me, a 23 year old woman searching for the integrity to be who I am. Thank you!
    Reply
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