Cicadas Don’t Bug Me, They Inspire — Why I Carry a Gold Cicada Everywhere I Go
Cicadas are in the news and I love it.
After 17 years of hiding underground in silence, these insects emerge from the underground. They quickly find their voice, their wings, and a mate. And they’re not quiet about it either.
Cicadas are an inspiration for anyone who has felt dormant and without a voice for a long time.
As a symbol for rebirth, this little insect seemed particularly relevant for me when my marriage was ending and I was starting my new life and business.
It seems relevant again as we’ve all been holed up while sheltering in place, and now we are ready to shed our masks and get out there to sing and mingle.
The sudden emergence of cicadas is a reminder that even when nothing seems to be happening and all of our efforts seem to go nowhere, there are processes that we don’t notice and cycles that we are unaware of.
I’ve had business coaches tell me “Small consistent repeated efforts lead to (arms spray upward in emphasis) BIG SUCCESS!”
Imagine what cicada motivational coaches are saying “maybe not this year, maybe not this decade, but one day, it’s going to be CICADA TIME! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ”
I’ve been fascinated by cicadas since one visited me in a guided meditation a few years ago. When a gift was put into my hands, I saw golden cicada being placed in my palm as a gift.
“What the heck kind of present is that?” I wondered.
And then after learning more, I went to go find one — on Etsy.
Yep, I happily keep a large shiny bug on my handbag to remind me daily that I have wings and a voice now is the time to joyfully use them.
And that it doesn’t matter how long we might have been hidden away and silent, the world is ready for our return.
Am I saying this golden creepy crawly is what got me up on stage doing stand up comedy? No, but I will say that the flash of its wings reminds me of why I do what I do. I bring hidden voices into the spotlight on stage to tell their stories to new crowds.
If you’ve felt trapped, silent, and dormant for too long, take note of the cicadas and join their noisy party. Rise up, shake off the dead shell, and share your message at full volume until you find your tribe or your mate.
If you want to talk about how comedy can help you find your voice, I’m happy to talk to you in a Seriously Funny Session or come watch a bunch of people be their loud selves on the next Sofa King Funny Show.