The man looks up as the plane dips down and buzzes low to the ground seemingly only feet from the crops.   As the plane circles back and forth over the field, the farmer looks on with approval.  He knows his field is small in comparison to the large corporate based farms surrounding his land, but he feels confident that this will be an abundant harvest.

As the growing season progresses the farmer, manages his crops almost as meticulously as a champion gardener looks after a hibiscus.  The past few years have been difficult, losing much of the yield to insects, an early freeze, and lack of rain.  This year, however, looks bright and the farmer is working extra hours to do whatever he can to make it such.

The green field is inspected as the farmer smiles with relief.  It looks like the insects are taken care of, and the rain is on schedule.  A few more weeks and he can remove the yield and put it safely in storage.

As the man eats dinner with his family he is excited to tell them about what looks to be an abundant year, when his oldest son announces that he would like to go to college to study engineering.   The farmer is excited for his son, but was hoping that he might take over the family farm so that it can continue as a privately owned land.  He was also hoping that he might be able to lessen his role and move into a stage of retirement after he son graduates high school.

The boy continues to talk about his college entrance exam test score and how he loves math and problem solving.  He has already begun the search for colleges nearby, but too far for a daily commute.  The wife shows her excitement for she always hoped that her children would find their own way and get away from the difficulties of farming.

Some years there is too much rain, other years not enough.  Some years there is too much heat, and other years, too much cold.  It seems that no matter what they do, mother nature always has other ideas.  To combat these issues they took out a second mortgage on their home to purchase automated irrigation systems.  However, they quickly learned that moving and placing large pipes is far from automated.

The big farms nearby, all have center pivot systems that move automatically to water the entire field.  Those systems are well out of their budget, so they need to use the piping systems that require a watchful eye and much maintenance.

Yes, she is happy if her children can get away from working the land, and maybe she and her husband can sell the land and move to the city for a relaxing retirement.  However, she knows that her husband is what could be the last of generations of farmers, and the change will be difficult.

The farmer, begins to realize that his days and the family’s days of farming may be coming to a close.  Deep down he understands and is happy if his son and other children realize their own dreams.  After all, he stayed home to farm because he was given little choice to do otherwise from his own father.  Being all that he knew, he did not even consider telling his father, “no.”

As the fall begins as summer comes to a close, the farmer begins the process of harvesting the sweat and work that he put into his crops.  The yield is the best he’s had in years, but falls a little short of his hopes.  However, he is happy to put another “crop in the bank” and to relax a bit during the winter months.

The next spring, the man announces to his wife that he thinks they should sell the land to earn enough money for college, and to begin their retirement.  The wife, gives him a hug as they both shed tears for the closing of a major “chapter” in their book of life.

Over the next couple of years, the farm and the land get sold as the family transitions to a nice city home and the son leaves for college.  Before the son leaves for his first day, he tells his father “thank you, for all that you have done.  I appreciate you letting me pursue my dreams and for letting go of the farm to help me in my pursuits.”

The man embraced his son, and said, “I will do anything to see that you can follow your dreams without anyone holding you back.  Go do great things and someday you will have your own harvest.”

Ω

When we understand that our dreams are not necessarily the dreams of others, we realize the importance of letting go.  However, in this case, the farmer never really took the time to define his own dreams for he didn’t think that he could do anything other than take over the family farm.  He realized as his son pursued another career that maybe he missed out on his own life.

Sure, he was happy as a farmer, but he wondered if he were given the opportunity, or rather made the opportunity to do something else, what would it be?  At least he is still young, and can look into pursuing his “burning desire in life” after his transition into the new phase of his life.

He realized that it is never too late to pursue your dreams, so long as you define what your dream is in the first place.

InspiraCard

When we live without thinking about our beacons or trying to find our “burning desire in life” we live on “automatic pilot.”  Take the time to stop and inventory where you are in your life and begin to live with intention.  Set an intention for how you would like your life to go, beginning with setting an intention for this very moment.   When you live with intention you will be amazed at how easy things become.

Written Wed Feb 12, 2014 7:32 – 7:55 AM MT