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Lesson From A Bug

I noted, with an interested curiosity, a mosquito, trapped between the shower’s window screen and the window pane. It must have been a cold and damp night, as the bottom of the pane of glass was frosty from the accumulated moisture. The screen, thankfully, separated me from the mosquito. Believe me, if there is a mosquito in the area, it is sure to find me. I must be a very sweet person. At any rate, there the mosquito stood, feet attached to the glass, eying the world outside.

I’m sure it must have felt odd, being able to see clearly what lay beyond the borders, and yet being unable to reach the “promised land.” He could see the roof of the neighbor’s house, and the shrubbery below. There was much to explore. Freedom lay just outside his grasp.

I turned on the shower. Instantly, the mosquito realized something had changed. At that same time, I also realized the window had been closed all night long, making his escape impossible. I cranked open the window to allow the mosquito to flee from his confines. The window opening formed a wedge, with most of the width angling out from the house.

The mosquito flitted frantically near the top of the window. He darted to the corner, flew an inch or two from his original resting spot and flew again to the same corner. The metal borders surrounding the window pane thwarted his efforts. I was amazed he did not alter his course but kept repeating the same frantic fluttering which was localized to the narrowest part of the area. I wondered if he seemed surprised these repeated efforts gained him no more access to the outside world than if he had not moved at all.

I began to try to channel my thoughts, directing the mosquito to change course. “Fly lower.” “Slow down.” “Try something different.”

The mosquito must have heard my thoughts. However, he did not venture too far from the top of the window. Instead, he traversed its width. He seemed even more confused now. I truly wanted him to leave as much as he desired his escape. Back and forth, back and forth he flitted. Again, I focused on sending him more messages of encouragement. “Fly downward.” “There is a large opening waiting for you to enter.” “Don’t give up.” “Dare to risk doing something different.”

Well, the mosquito did eventually find the passage. He hovered for a while, darting nearer and nearer to his former prison cell. What could be happening? I watched, thinking he just might want to return to his prison. After all, the outside world posed additional risks. Would he think that what he knew (my window) was safer than the unknown? “Dare to risk,” I thought again. “Go for it.” “You can do it.”

He finally understood. And away he flew. The moral of this story: Take a lesson from this insect. When you feel as if you are trapped, stop and think of other possibilities. Try a different approach. Don’t give up.