The Cicadas Are Coming!

Cicadas.

When you hear the term, what comes to mind?

When I awoke today, I told Ben about my thoughts in the middle of the night…that I should cancel attending a dream conference in May because the Cicadas will be too loud. How will I pay attention to the speakers?

Ben smiled.

Then he shared with me his soulful, nature-loving perspective on the expected return of the 17-year Cicadas this year.

He said something like this:

It’s a miracle we’re privileged to witness them.

After 17 years in the dark, these insects get to come out of the earth to sing for a few weeks.

I love it.

Nature is so completely amazing, and we can be present to all her gifts.

I sincerely thanked Ben for offering me this perspective, admitting that I was coming from my ego’s memory of the awful noise and crunch of a long-dormant variety we experienced out and about when I lived in Ohio.

Argh.

I recall being totally exhausted by their incessant exuberance.

Likely because I have good hearing.

I’m highly sensitive to noise, lights, smells, textures…

I’ve never liked stepping on anything that lives, including worms on rainy days and Cicadas in their cycles.

It feels awful, and then I have to clean their guts off my shoes, besides.

It’s also true that I’ve grown and changed quite a bit since that Ohio memory.

My mind is less egoic, I’m more mindful, and I’ve aligned my body in ways I never dreamt possible.

I appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of nature with fresh awareness all the time.

Hmmm…perhaps I can mingle with this year’s Cicadas differently than in the past.

Yes…I shall experience this year’s crop of Cicadas with wonder, gratitude, and ease.

I also KNOW that THIS moment is the only one that matters.