Working With You!

A veteran of Canada’s military with 33 + years of service, I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2009, a diagnosis that was to radically change my life forever. Treatment started shortly after my diagnosis and lasted over 6 years, during which I rediscovered my inner self and who I am as a human being. Many things have changed in my life since then, all for the good and all have contributed to the peace I now feel with myself.

As my successful treatment evolved through the various stages of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I became increasingly aware that I was learning a new sense of self, one that differed drastically from what I had known over the past 33 years. Everything I knew and held as part of the old me was being replaced by this new person who had drastically different views and interests, and as such, it became apparent to me that I needed a new hobby to challenge myself. After months of searching for something that matched my new life, and after meeting some amazing beekeepers, I decided to take the plunge and procured my first hive. The rest is an amazing journey into an even more amazing lifestyle. Beekeeping should never be confused with a hobby, as I quickly found out.

Bees have become the true barometer of my inner self, and are quick to remind me of when I am troubled or at peace with myself. Loosely translated, if I am working with bees when something is troubling me, I am reminded of the fact through their stinging. Ironically enough, the stings have lessened in frequency and strength, and I consider the bees to be my true therapists as I continue to rediscover personality traits and qualities that were masked by my illness.  The journey has been long, but rewarding, and I truly believe that given the opportunity, you can experience the same Zen-like experience that beekeeping has given me.

Between working with bees and watching my assistant, Abbigail, grow with the hives, I have learned that what is important in life is not always what we see in front of us. Rather it is that inner peace and sense of self worth that we all have, either on the surface or hidden away. Like a broken bone, I will always carry the scars of PTSD as part of me, however, thanks to the constant input from our barometric bees, I have learned to cope and lead a productive life.

 

I hope the bees become as big a part of your life as they have in mine.