Living on a dairy farm provides endless opportunity to learn "life lessons", both good and bad. Some are subtle...just a passing thought. Others may hit you like a ton of bricks.
On a farm, no two days are ever the same. Each day brings with it new adventures, accomplishments or disappointments. You never know what to expect when you get up in the morning. The only thing you know for sure is to expect the unexpected.
Through 39 years of farm living I have seen it all - from lush, green fields with bountiful harvest and healthy cows, to dried up fields and creek beds with cows dropping like flies. Through all of it, I've learned what I consider one the most important "life lessons".
We are not in control! (We only think we are.)
This may come as a shock to some of you control freaks. Get over it! We think we control our own lives but truth is, there is very little that we actually can control. Farming success depends on several outside variables, such as, weather, economy, good help, markets, health, etc....all of which we have very little control over. And if you really think about it how does this differ for any of you, no matter what your profession. We are all affected both positively and negatively by outside influences that are beyond our control. The sooner we realize this the happier we will be and the easier it is to deal with the hard times.
Blaming ourselves for all the bad things that happen can lead to a very unhappy and unhealthy life. Sometimes we just have to admit that some things are out of our control, whether it be an act of nature, an act of God, the government, our boss, a friend, or any other entity. Realize it is what it is and deal with it. In other words, learn to roll with the punches and give yourself a break. If you must, repeat to yourself over and over, "I can't control every situation", I can't control every situation". Do this until you actually believe it.
Until next time...that's my view.
Kat
