Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Goodbye To An Era

The last bike in our stable sold. People that know me from the past know me as a bike racer and ultimate bike geek. I spent years riding, training, racing and working on bikes. Women used to tell me that the bike was more important than them. Sometimes they were right. Thankfully I was over much of that when I met Karen. Needless to say it was my passion, one I threw my entire being into and even defined myself by. I will post this photo on facebook and I know I will get comments from many who knew the "bike guy" Eric. Many would say things like "you will regret it" or "you work so much no wonder you sold them" or even "you must be getting old". When I don't argue with the old comment maybe it is more clearly stated that I moved on or progressed. Enter farming into my life. To quote a friend of mine, though I will probably botch the quote, a question he asked was are you purposeful about pursuing your passion or are you passionate about your purpose? In the past I would have said the first part applied to me. I was a true believer in always follow your heart and chase your passion. Even though I spent years doing that it seemed as if there was never enough. For me, farming seem to change that. Remember we are approaching this from a positive viewpoint. Yes I gave up a longtime passion of mine to build a farm and become a cheesemaker, but it means so much more to me. I feel this is my purpose and in order to fullfill one's purpose to it fullest you must give all the passion you have. For those of you who are considering a farming business for profit, you need to answer one simple question. Is farming your purpose or your passion? If it is the first, which I hope it is, it is a pursuit you will never regret.  If it is a passion you may find it becomes work, not a life.  There is an old saying that goes "if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life". I can truly say I have not worked in 2 years though many would look at our schedule and beg to differ. Find your purpose chase it with passion and much of what you held important and necessary in your life seems to loose its appeal. So, for those that wish to be a farmer or engage in some sort of agrarian type lifestyle, go for it. If you do it for the right reasons success and blessings will come your way. I know.