RESPECT THE FLIES
They came to visit in September. They are still here. It is November. Hopefully by the time you read this, late December, they will have ended their extended and unwelcome stay. Who are “They?” Flies. A bit of perspective is warranted. I am not – NOT – a bad housekeeper, no rotten fruit, I don’t practice leaving dirty dishes in the sink – why are they here? Larger than a fruit fly, smaller than the common house fly, they are smart. There appears to be no rhythm or rhyme for likes, dislikes or when they will appear, although they seem to like our human guest. Swatting a few will drive the others to the ceiling until I give up and move on. Anyone who has heard about these unwanted visitors have offered a solution.
We have been visited by the plumber and the exterminator and though the population has decreased significantly, they are still here, and we still don’t know the source of their origin. BUT the flies have earned my respect for their survival skills. While I respect their tenacity, I don’t want them in my space and have tried all kinds of things to send them back to the abyss from whence they have come.
Initially, I thought getting rid of the flies would be easy. I was wrong. My next-door neighbor can fix anything pest related and volunteered to make them disappear while we were away on vacation. I was happy to let her work her magic. Several times while away, I checked on the project, “Fly be gone.” I was encouraged by what she reported and upon arrival home, there was evidence that she had succeeded…flies were gone – gone that is until the next day. They were resurrected, renewed, rejuvenated and ready to do battle with me. And this has been the story since.
I have purchased two fly swatters, an electronic fly zapper, fly punch, fly sticky strip, and made homemade concoctions. They all worked for a short time until the flies adapted.
If flies can adapt, then so can I!!! I had to. What does that look like? I have decided to let whatever is happening happen, both with the flies and my effort to get rid of them. I am surrendering to the present and what the moment holds. What the present holds are blessings and gifts that I will miss if I am consumed with chasing nondescript flies. I’ll keep doing me, the flies will do what they do and in due season they will return to their abyss. In the meantime, they will not steal my enjoyment of my kitchen, family, and sanctity of a drama free home. What will you do with flies in your life?
PONDER THIS THOUGHT: Fight the temptation to let nuisances distract from the things that matter.
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