My 7 yr.old daughter came to get me one day to show me a spotted little bug which she found on one of our climbing rose bushes. "It's called a ladybug," I told her. What she found so amazing, was despite her little size this little bug seemed impervious to almost any obstacle that nature seemed to devise for her. It was a very blustery day, and the little lady bug seemed undaunted in her task to continue to climb up a very tall branch with sharp thorns, inorder to get to some aphids for her dinner that day.

"Wow," she exclaimed, "nothing seems to stand in her way." Knowing that my daughter had some difficulties with arithmetic, I thought that this might be a wonderful way to teach her about the value of persistence and it's rewards. I told her that great strides can be achieved if we work at something, a little bit, each day, just like the ladybug who despite her very small size, through sheer tenacity can go considerable distances. The ladybug doesn't stop to compare herself with others who might be faster, larger, or have a more intimidating appearance; instead it accepts itself for it's strengths and limitations and tries to do the best with what it has been given.

That day, I thought about the wisdom that this little ladybug could teach us. She could be thought of as a symbol for self-acceptance but not self-complacency. By accepting our strengths and weaknesses, we can all do better by making the most of what we have. Yet, we can also strive to do better by improving upon what we have through our determination. It was not only my daughter who learned something valuable that day; I thought about what I had learned from this little bug as well. Smaller may not always be less, but could be thought of as just a different way to tackle important objectives.

Simply by applying this little ladybug magic, we can all accomplish considerable feats. If you look at all the great achievements that mankind has done throughout the ages from the pyramids in Egypt to the great structures in Rome, breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces has brought about astounding results! Many scientific theories, works of art, and political ideologies originating from more simple beginnings have evolved into more complex and sophisticated forms. They have profoundly influenced our government, our technology, and even our humanity.

For a long time, I had been putting off going back to school, and getting a degree simply because I thought that I couldn't do some things as well as others, but now I realize that this isn't a good reason. In some ways, I will always be defficient. So instead of focusing on my weaknesses, I must concentrate on my strengths and overcome weaknesses by dilligence, and the desire to do more with what I have been given. By living with courage and the will to do the best with what we are given, our lives can have significance.

The ladybug analogy has important implications not only for our lives as individuals but how our lives affect others, and contribute to a greater destiny for humanity. We cannot flee or run from opportunity to accomplish our own subjective goals just as we cannot avoid responsibility to contribute on an individual basis to the greater good of society and all the living beings that it encompasses- people as well as animals.

I once knew a woman who excused herself from doing any good on the basis that it wouldn't change the whole world; therefore, she didn't put forth any effort to help anyone or any cause. If an animal needed help she would refuse, if a person needed help she would do much the same. She eventually excused herself from her own humanity, and her life became utterly devoid of any substance. In the end, even her own children rejected her because she became so totally unable to relate to them in any meaningful way. What she was doing was looking for an excuse to be indifferent, and essentially invalidating her own existence. The person that she was hurting the most was actually herself but she could never apprehend this.

This little bug not only teaches us the value of determination in the face of incredible odds, but it also teaches us something more subtle but equally profound. If we want our lives to have any lasting effect after our demise, we must think about our actions during our lifetime as it effects the greater whole- just as a stone cast in the water makes ripples long after it disappears.

I have finally gone back to school, as I couldn't any longer excuse myself on the basis that I might not be as "smart" or as young as someone else. It's just the thought of taking what I have and trying to improve upon it that motivates my actions now and gives me the courage to accomplish my goals-no matter how they may be judged by someone else. In order to find meaning in our lives, we have to look at ourselves independently from others and see that everything is indeed, relative- even achievement. For as long as we are making headway, and there's some distance that we have come every day, then our lives aren't futile but have value just like the little ladybug.

By each of us playing our little part we collectively make a great impact, and this is how we move mountains, or change the world.

The Ladybug's Birthday Party

The little lady bug woke up
and remembered,
it was a most special day-
her little friend's birthday
was today...

Her little abode-
a sweet little rose-
with chrystal droplets of due
reflected sunlit petals,
into a rainbow of hue.

Now she must hurry
no time to tarry...
as she made cupcakes
vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry
topping each with cherry...
she made a pot of
rosehips tea
spiced so carefully...

Then tidied up
picking a fresh
bouquet of buttercup,
to place on her table
with party favor
for little bugs to savor...

Ribbons were hung
and balloons strung
to celebrate such a joyful occassion...
she heard the doorbell ring
her guests had arrived-
oh, what presents they did bring!

Then they all danced to a tune
that the ladybug wrote,
by the light of the silvery moon,
and ended on a most harmonious note
as they all sang "Happy Birthday to you!"

by Marie Lawrence