Oh The Places You'll Go

​In 2009 I was laid off.  I was thrilled to be able to do something different.  During my personal journey and self-discovery to pick a new career, I read that people usually reinvent themselves every 7 years.  I took that to heart and re-invented myself – insurance professional to farmer!  Yes, a drastic change in career paths, but I noticed so many other changes:  lower stress job, loving work instead of dreading it, no high heels or business suits, eating incredible food that I grew myself instead of fast food in the car in between appointments, less income but I needed so much less.  I also stopped defining success by my job title, bank account and credit score.  I started measuring my success by how many smiles I created, what new things I learned each day, and how often I noticed the many blessing I had.  I stopped thinking things couldn’t be accomplished unless I directed every step, to being surprised by all the amazing things that were happening because I asked for them.  They weren’t just coincidences; synchronicity was starting for me.
 
During this reinvention I attended Michigan State’s Organic Farmer Training Program. It confirmed that I wanted to be a farmer. As part of the program we had to create/present something to our cohort that shared something about us as individuals.  It could be anything – a song, a poem, a dance, a story.  I decided to make a quilted wall hanging to tell my story.  Follow it counterclockwise, starting with Spring.

​I pulled this out last year and noticed that my FALL items that I had wanted when I created this in 2010 had come true just 2 years later.  I wanted a fulling life and I wanted to build our dream house.  The opportunities to makes these happen were given to me in completely unexpected ways.  I said thank you, took what was offered and put all my efforts and inspiration to create what I wanted.  Yes, there have been ups and downs, but I love the roller coaster rides of life.  The lows can take your breath away, but taking the risk can take you to incredible heights. 
 
One of my all-time favorite books is Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.  It is a fantastic story about journeys in life, the highs, the lows, the risks, and the successes.  It’s also just fun to read out loud.  There are two passages I want to share. 
 
First – don’t get stuck in “The Waiting Place…”

“Waiting for the fish to bite
 or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps for Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.”
 
Then once you start your journey
 
“You’ll get mixed up, of course,
As you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
With many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
And remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.”

This year, with the help of the Abundance Cubed Program, I am starting to re-invent myself again, to create my masterpiece. I have written my vision story from a 2017 perspective.  So much has happened in just the last 2 months, that I cannot fathom how amazing it will be by December.  I’ll probably be sparkling by then!
 
Recommended Reading:  Check out our new social media presence.  We are now listed on Facebook, Eat Well Guide, Yelp, Trip Advisor, Local Harvest, and Real Time Farms .  We’d love a review if you would like to help support us and get the word out.

Recommended Viewing:  Our second YouTube Video is done!  Check out our farmer Nydia as she demonstrates – How to Rinse Baby Greens
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​Did You Know that you can ask for whatever you want by simply writing it down, speaking it out loud, posting a picture or creating a vision board? Then be open for the possibilities that present themselves. In October of 2015 I sat on my front porch and said I want a guru.  I wanted a guru for farming, business and spirituality.  Two days later I was enrolled in a permaculture conference to learn from the experts how they are making their tiny farms profitable.  Two weeks later I was selected to be in Abundance Cubed Program for entrepreneurs.  I’m not sure when I will be getting my spiritual guru, but I know that when I am ready, my guru will find me!

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