Wasps and Windows

Some of us can relate…..

A few days ago, I sat watching a wasp trapped on a bus.

You’ve probably observed similar yourself.

It would crawl the glass, getting madder and more frustrated with itself, before finally giving up, having a little rest then doing the same again.

Each time a little weaker.

Each time a little angrier.

Having his waspy tantrum, dusting himself off then giving it another go.

The thing was, the top of the window was ajar.

OPEN.

If only he’d stayed on course a little longer, he’d have found an exit!

Freed himself.

But when you’re in that situation, it’s hard to see what is blindingly obvious to everyone else, isn’t it?

The bigger picture.

Reactions are interesting to watch too.

There are those, who actively avoid a trapped wasp.

All that rage must surely make them more dangerous, right?

Who wants to be risk being hurt?

Others, simply pity them.

Shake their heads at their repetitive little nowhere dance!

All buzz and no progress!

But, there’s a third type of person.

The one who remembers the feeling.

Of being so close to where we want to be, if only we could get to it….

Of being so exhausted by our multiple attempts at something, we miss what’s staring us in the face.

We remember what it’s like to be a jaded, bitter old wasp.

To be disliked, avoided, feared, pitied.

And once we’ve been there, we do not want that for any other being.

We recognise that wanting to lash out and hurt comes from feeling like you’ve explored all options.

Feeling cornered.

We never forget what it feels like to be on ‘our last legs’.

We see our old self mirrored in each weary insect and as such, we widen windows and fling open doors.

And whenever we see a wasp fly through a gap he took so hard to find…..

We smile.