A Summer of Bees

(and a Little Honey for the Soul)

This summer has felt like the summer of the bee for me. As secretary for KCC (Kirkham Cultural Consortium), I had the joy of helping lead our Cultivating Creativity project in Kirkham, where we celebrated pollinators with flowers, bee sculptures, and a joyous parade through the park. It was a season full of colour, community, and simple delight — a reminder of how creativity can connect us to one another and to the natural world.

Then, just this past weekend, I found myself camping at the Devoted Festival. The sunshine was glorious, and I’d packed my watercolours so I could sit and paint in the quiet moments. One afternoon I listened to a young girl named Hope as she shared her thoughts about bees — how they pollinate, how they carry life wherever they go. Her words struck me deeply.

Bees don’t intend to spread pollen. They simply go about their business, and the pollen travels with them — leaving abundance in their wake. And I thought, that’s what I want to be like. I want my life to be so covered in kindness, encouragement, and hope that wherever I go, that’s what I leave behind.

That’s the heart behind this blog. Each week, I try to scatter little grains of encouragement, like pollen carried on the breeze, in the hope that they might bring life to others.

Honeycomb Wisdom

Her words also reminded me of a poster I illustrated a little while ago, based on a saying from King Solomon — a king who lived in the Middle East about 3,000 years ago, renowned for his wisdom. He wrote in Proverbs 16:24:

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

In Solomon’s time, honey was the sweetest natural food known — sugar as we know it today didn’t exist. Honey symbolised richness, delight, and blessing. It was also nourishing and healing. Ancient people used it for wounds and stomach complaints, and even today honey-based ointments are prescribed by NHS doctors for their proven healing properties.

When Solomon spoke of honeycomb, he wasn’t just thinking of sweetness, but of something restorative, strengthening, and abundant. I had the privilege earlier this year of joining my friends as they tended their bee hive. I saw honeycomb up close, oozing with golden honey — raw, unrefined, and generous.

And isn’t it the same with words? The best ones are gracious, natural, life-giving, and unforced. Pleasant words, kind words, are not only sweet to the soul bringing encouragement and refreshment, but sometimes even physical healing. Words can reach deep into us in ways we don’t always expect.

Scattering Sweetness

So my invitation is simple: who in your life could do with some sweetness for their soul today? Is there someone who needs a healing word spoken into their story?

Let’s be like the bees — leaving behind trails of kindness and hope, scattering encouragement like pollen, and offering words that are as nourishing as honey.

A Little Extra Sweetness for You

I’m developing this blog in new ways, and I’d love to share something tangible with you. Each month I’ll be offering an Image of the Month — a high-quality download of one of my watercolour illustrations.

For August, it simply has to be my painting of this bee and wildflowers. You can download it for free this month — just click the link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sOMHKc7CHGLO5rIUSivQ9xAoQCAA_Ofl/view?usp=drivesdk

From next month, the Image of the Month download link will be sent to paid subscribers, who will also be invited to join me for a live watercolour for wellbeing session each month. It’s just £5 a month (or £50 for the year) In a couple of weeks’ time, I’ll be hosting a free watercolour for wellbeing taster session so keep an eye out for more details!