I would like to share an amazing weekend, recently. A retreat to my father’s ranch of winter camping, family, and, good ole “fresh” air. A place where I grew up, riding horses, camping, building forts, hunting, fishing, riding 2-wheelers (out of 2nd gear when we got far enough away from the house), feeding cattle (grandpa would put it in 1st gear, and say “Drive” in a circle), hunting for arrowheads by the creek, collecting a batch of turtle eggs, and hatching them for show & tell. The list of memorable experiences, and lessons learned could go on. My point being writing this today is how blessed, and nurturing the “Great Outdoors” can be for anyone, thus helping me live a balanced life. There is just something about pulling up a camp chair, grabbing your favorite book and letting the warm sun bathe your face. Hearing a children’s laugh as they play in the snow, watching a dog stick their nose in an unfamiliar hole, digging till they are worn out. As you lay your head down on a pillow, how when you were little the coyote howl scared you but as an adult grateful to hear such sweet music, (that is until your father say’s let’s go coyote hunting). But, hey, really when a person can get away from the hub bub of life (bills, phones, computers, chores), Nature has such wonderful healing to your soul, your mental state of mind. I think of how grateful I am to offer such an opportunity to my children, a lifetime of learning and experiences, far different from the “City”. Our goal is to be in a position financially to make that happen for us, to move to the ranch and bask in all it’s glory of the outdoors. The peace and quiet!
To share more on our experience, I noticed I have way more to learn, that I overlooked growing up, or cared about. Like learning how to get your vehicle unstuck, when your by yourself. A skill I just never had much ambition for until recently. Everyone was out hunting and my 2 year old daughter andI had our fill of hanging around the camper, so I decided to take the truck and catch up with everyone else. Well, I didn’t make it far, only about 5 feet to be exact. I spent an hour, burning numerous calories, while my daughter gave into a nap, while waiting. I used my brain thinking of all sorts of ways to get out, like putting boards under the wheels hoping it would grasp and give me a few more feet, or using the 1/2 bag of cat litter we had stashed in the camper (for whatever reason I’m not sure). But, it did work, got me about a foot further than before, just not enough to get me unstuck completely. You know, all the while, by myself, all sorts of thoughts run through your head. The little girl voice of your father chewing you out, and how you would respond? Being mad that you didn’t think it through enough, happy your getting a “Great” work out even in such a not so fun moment. Then as I exhausted myself, I gave into the moment of what it was, a “learning experience”? I realized I need to know how to master this if I am EVER going to live out here? So, later that day, after I admit, I gave up digging. My stepdad came he literally shoveled for only 10 minutes andthen backed it out like it was nothing. I stand there with my jaw open, in disbelief. He made it look so simple! I did eventually get a taste of how, and what the trick is, to getting unstuck or driving through deep and/or muddy/snowy roads. My dad shared with me his early day’s of how my grandfather taught him. His answer “You just get in there and do it”, no tractor to pull you out, no easy way out, just listen to the engine and never let your tires spin. Now what an analogy for “Life”. Never let your tires spin!!! Now as my father was sharing his lesson, he was also climbing a HUGE hill and breaking through a foot of snow. Going ahead, and backing up, going ahead, and backing up, and each time gaining another foot, and never got stuck once. He never gave up! And sure enough he reached the top of the hill, and we all were so thoroughly impressed by his skill he showed us that day. So see, really in life, everyday no matter what it is we experience learning. The fun part was hooting and hollering “Go Pa Pa Go”, “Almost there” “Yeah you did it!!!!” Being in the moment and feeling all the energy of that particular event. So, to wrap this up and address the “Why” do I share this, and how to balance your life is this ” Take Note in everything you do, push all negative thoughts out of your head that keep you from going forward” and with “Persistence you will reach the top in whatever it is your reaching for”!! I hope you enjoyed this story and find way’s to bring peace to your head, your heart and your life. For me, it’s going back to my roots, the place where I grew up “The Great Outdoors”!
