So, here goes my latest inspiration from living and discovering balance within the mix.
If you've taken one of my yoga classes, you know a balance sequence or two is usually included. While I love balancing poses, it's more than for personal reasons--I believe balance is essential for living a good life.
We just finished our third and final week on the goat farm and the experiences, skills, lessons, and learning feels like it's been months.
It's inevitable how close you become to everyone (animals included) on the farm in such as short amount of time, especially with my fellow farm volunteers. Several have come and gone, and while we may only get to know them within a short period of time, we still become close because of the time spent each day and the experiences we have together. It's pretty cool. And really, what better way to develop inside jokes than with chicken poop and goat diarrhea splattered all over us on a random Tuesday morning! One of my favorite things has been the laughs with everyone about everything--and it's just the little things!
On the topic of little things, a 6 day work-week beginning at 6:30am, heading for bed around 9pm, a few hours off in the afternoon (usually), I've been mindful to try and balance the hard work with noticing little things that make me smile. Every morning we take three horses out to pasture, and the last few days we stop half way so that the horses can eat the sand pears that have fallen on the ground (sand pears--big and juicy and hard like an apple that taste and look like a pear and growing in abundance on the farm right now). It's sweet to see how much the horses enjoy these treats, and each gigantic juicy bite they take releases a fresh and yummy fragrance that fills the morning air and it smells like heaven!
I've been noticing how the animals work to find balance within the herd. Yesterday was the day to integrate three baby bucks with the big boy bucks. Little four-month-old sweet pea of a goat, Moon Raker, has been having a hard time weening off his mom (he cries out for her, "Maaaaaa!!!!") So when putting the three babies officially in with the bucks, Sammy, the 250 lb. big buck sensed Moon Raker's fear and immediately began the intimidating process to establish that good old dominance. At times it was hard to watch but we knew the herd was going through the natural motions in order to maintain balance.
It was amazing to witness one of the three babies, four-month-old Grayson, challenge Sammy so that he could first establish his own space then move on protecting Moon Raker. For about an hour we shrieked as Sammy relentlessly struggled for power, and Grayson did not back down! At one point it was getting intense and Cricky got involved (farm owners were off the farm). Sammy had been head-butting Grayson into the fence and it was apparent how hurt Grayson was. Man, what an emotional wrench watching it work itself out (including my brave Crick jumping in). Here's the visual breakdown:
Sammy gets sassy!!!!
Four-month-old Grayson gets plowed by Sammy )-:
Cricky jumps in to make sure Grayson is ok!
Cricky reminds Sammy of who's the boss!
(KIDDING, we snapped this pic when everyone was calmed down --although Crick did a beautiful job of reminding Sammy she was boss when it was necessary--she's kind of my hero)
(KIDDING, we snapped this pic when everyone was calmed down --although Crick did a beautiful job of reminding Sammy she was boss when it was necessary--she's kind of my hero)
Eventually balance was restored as everyone established their place in the herd. Today we found Moon Raker roaming the pasture peacefully and snuggling with the bucks-Sammy included!
So, we're looking to restore our own balance as we have decided to move on. It's been an amazing experience with no regrets. My favorites: the communal living, the peacefulness on the farm, caring for the animals, witnessing how well the animals are treated, and accomplishing hard work that built my confidence and helped me feel stronger (both physically and mentally). Oh, and I got over any germ phobia I was conditioned to have from my past (getting over this is a must if you're going to work and live on a farm).
But like anything in life, balancing work as well as the energy of giving and receiving is essential, and we are interested to explore other farms that will reciprocate the time and energy that we are eager to give.
For now, we'll make our way to New Orleans--a city that both The Farmer and The Yogi have never been to! Then we're off to meet with my Dad (who recently sold his business and is a fellow Vagabond) in Austin to check out the city known for Keeping It Weird.
Andiamo!!
~Deb
Hugging one of my goat faves, Wooly Mittens
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