Sometimes I feel like the world’s worst procrastinator. Instead of getting things done, I jump from one task to another. Schedules disappear, taking my peace of mind with them. The “shoulds” nag at the back of my mind and my to-do list grows longer and longer.
Not my husband. He does things with consistency and regularity. I used to think it was because he was stuck in ruts, until I realized that he’s just a very steady guy. That’s why he gets a lot done and why he’s the most peaceful person I know. Peace and serenity come easier when the mind is not overloaded with so many “shoulds” and “should-haves.”
Consistency
Consistency can make the difference between success and failure. It makes us better at what we do. And by eliminating our feelings of regret, it allows us to work with more joy and greater peace of mind.
But consistency takes diligence and persistence. It takes having goals and aspirations and working toward them because we know they’re worth it.
It means we have to get rid of bad habits and work on new ones. Something I’m not good at, despite my good intentions. So I decided to take a lesson from the insects, especially the ants and the bees!
Lessons from the insects
The diligence of the ant
When I think of diligence, I think of the ant. Such a tiny insect, yet it accomplishes so much. Even the Bible praises this tiny insect for its diligence and hard work (Proverbs 6:6). Most insects, in fact are like this. If they procrastinate or slow down, they won’t eat or survive.
Not only do ants endlessly forage, leaf-cutter ants even grow food underground. They create mushroom gardens from the plant fragments they gather. Other ants are “dairy” farmers, herding and milking aphids for a sugary substance called honeydew.
They have a goal and they work tirelessly and consistently toward it. No wonder Scripture tells us to be like the ant!
The bee’s consistency
But I find bees particularly fascinating. As foragers, they play an important role in our food supply by ensuring that plants cross-pollinate. And when it’s time to forage, the bee focuses on that one task.
Some bees prefer only one type of flower, while others will visit many different plants. But did you know that even those with a more varied diet stick to only one type of flower per pollination trip? This is known as floral consistency, and it safeguards the maintenance and reproduction of each particular plant population year after year. It ensures the continuation of flowering plants like cherry trees, plum trees, and even bean plants.
The ants and the bees see their tasks through to completion. They work with immense consistency, and we need this in our lives too.
We all have goals we’d like to achieve, skills we’d like to perfect, and tasks God has given to us to complete. And it’s important that we stick to them.
So let’s take our cue from the insects, and do what we need to do, when we should do it, and to the best of our ability.
Then with God’s help, we’ll be able to look back on our days and know that we’ve made progress. And we’ll hear the Lord say: Well done, good and faithful servant. You watched the ant, considered its ways, and lived your days wisely!
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers he food in harvest.
Proverbs 6:6
📷 Image credits: jogging; woman; ant; pine branch; bee is mine
Signora Sheila 