Summer has arrived in Australia, but so have the flies! If you’ve ever been to Australia in the summer months, you may have realized how annoying these flies can be. No matter how many times you chase them away, they just show no fear and lazily come back to make themselves at home.

One of those pesky flies made itself at home in an open packet of almonds on my kitchen table. It had worked its way to the back of the pack and it was only after a few failed attempts to kick it out that I realized the fly was gravitating towards the light. You see, the back of the package was facing the bright, sunlit window in my kitchen. As soon as I realized this, I turned the package over so that the opening was facing the window and within seconds the fly was free.

This episode reminded me of a time when my family and I went to explore some caves that are about a four hour drive from where we live. Armed only with a flashlight and helmet each, we were the only people in the cave at the time, except for a fly that had followed us. Every time we turned off our flashlights to experience the thick, still darkness that surrounded us, we became aware of the frantic buzzing of the fly around our heads, searching for light. We found it quite funny and told all our friends about the new friend we had made, who followed us all the way in and out of the cave.

Even in the darkest cave, Mother Nature shares her wisdom with us. I became very aware of the importance of light in our lives; both light in physical form and light in spiritual form. I was reflecting on some of the spiritual teachings I had heard related to ‘following the light’ and it took me back to all my dark hours when I felt alone, sad or in trouble. It was almost instinctive for me to follow the light. I naturally gravitated towards sources of ‘light’, such as a loving family member, a nature walk, upbeat music, or enjoying a happy movie. I am so grateful that those two pesky little flies came along to remind me to always gravitate towards love and happiness.

If you are experiencing the emptiness of darkness around you, remember the life lesson about the fly and follow your instincts towards a happier and more loving life…

Follow the light!