Spring is a celebration. Little plots of green sneak through the snow and are a welcome contrast to the brown.
These changes are important for us as we pull out of the wrath of winter. The challenge is to keep that energy and joy that we feel in spring all year round.
In spring, even the weather loses its edge and we somehow are constantly rejuvenated and filled with a special hope and an ever-flowing desire to be ‘out there.’ Later in the year, when crops may fail and prices change, machinery breaks down, and the last of the children go off to school, it takes a ton of energy to keep it in perspective. Spring fever has come and gone.
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There are many self-help books written for staying on track but very few were written for the men and women who farm. So how do we ‘rope the sunshine’ for the cloudy days on the farm?
I once read that in all things, the only response is gratitude. For all of us, the sun does rise and it does set every day. That alone is gift enough, but it is tough to be grateful all the time and exercise the humble emotion of thankfulness. When we don’t know where to start, we could start with a smile and let the rest of the day unfold.
My dad is a cattle buyer and I accompanied him for years. We were in many homes and visited with all the families — some which were under extreme stress. One constant was that farm accidents were (and still are) everywhere and so were the lifelong disabilities. That however, was not reason to snuff out joy in these households and we were always greeted with a smile and enjoyed fantastic hospitality. Many times I left humbled and conscious of my own blessings.
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And although farm families can at times default to the blame game (if only Tom would have checked the hitch) or worse yet, no one accepting the reality of the day (this is not happening), those who choose to make their day a great and interesting one succeed regardless of the situation they are in.
I was once at the home of a beautiful couple who cared for many disadvantaged children. They were kind, loving, hospitable, and one would have never guessed that the day before one of the parents had accidentally driven the tractor through the outside wall of their new home. Instead, they shared the irony of it, laughing and proclaiming what expert builders they would be after they had built the house — once again!
And yes, they were grateful that no injuries occurred and for their other blessings in life.
Humans are a fickle bunch and we worry with dread over what other folks may think or say of us. I believe it is fair to state we worry more about how we look than about who we are.
It reminds me of the day I listened to Chris Koch — a lovely man who drives very big farm equipment and travels the world. He said, “If you are worried about how you look, then you are missing a great opportunity.” He doesn’t worry that he is without arms or legs, nor does he pack a doomsday attitude. Instead, he just gets out there and does it — with joy!
This is a reminder that it is our values that define us. To keep our family and employees engaged, we need to put that into play.
Society as a whole continues to struggle with gender equality — which I define as standing up for the excellence of the other. For farm families, that means to draw out, respect, and encourage the gifts of our male and female children without judgment or conditions. It is to create a spring fever conversation around the table that is equitable. It is to encourage our spouses, parents, and employees to be the best that they can be and facilitate the environment for that to happen.
I go back to the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
You may be the leader of your team, but your tribe has to see you live by your words and feel freely engaged all year round — even at the times when farming becomes overwhelming.
Going back to those self-help books, many of them talk about balance in life. Forget about chasing balance and choose to set boundaries. Say, “No, I will not sort cattle with you when you yell at me,” or, “No, I cannot travel to that meeting on Sunday. It is our day at home as a family.”
How about skipping the coffee shop and taking a break for an hour with your spouse or letting the weeds grow to play hide and seek? Say no to the mother who insists that you “have to” see your cousin 14 times removed or no to the salesman who is peddling a product that does not align with your core values and beliefs.
Quiet time to contemplate, exercise to build strength, and sit-down family meals to fuel brain power are all possible when we set a boundary. Limits empower us and our family because everyone feels secure.
It may seem oversimplified to talk about keeping the spring spirit on the farm all year round. But joy is a contagious, energetic emotion and so much can be done when the individual strengths of your family and team are nurtured.
Spring fever and all its inspirations need not fade on the farm. It can be revived each day by starting with a smile and genuine gratefulness.
