Serenity from Chaos
By: Darren Sproat Jun 7th, 2010Category: Then Life Happens
Image © Andrey Pavlov Dreamstime.com
My family has a farm…a small, by no means modern, farm. The experiences I’ve gained from the farm include some of the more physically challenging and stressful conditions I have ever worked in…heavy equipment and tools, chemicals, fertilizer, noise, and potential danger around every corner.
It is also one of the most serene, life relaxing places I have ever experienced. I discovered more about myself and who I can become through experiences at the farm then through most other experiences in life to date. It’s the place family gathered. It’s the place you went to get away from it all. It’s the place you couldn’t put a value on because it meant so much to you.
Amongst all the equipment, the hard work, noise, and stress, emerges the quietest and clearest of nights and a closeness to nature that can not be described. A crisp, cool, evening breeze whisking over the landscape, northern lights dancing in the sky, a vision of stars that one could never see in the city, a sunrise that is awe inspiring, spring rainfalls that feed the crops and pastures, wildlife in their element, evening thunderstorms that threaten…they all add to the value of this place and how life experienced there can be so real.
The farm today is a much less busy place for myself and my family. The land is rented to neighbors to sow and harvest the crops and the buildings and equipment aren’t maintained the way they once were. This place, however, puts you in a place of experiencing serenity and offers a sense of renewal, accomplishment, purpose and fulfillment… it facilitates peace of mind. While true peace of mind, true serenity, comes from within, it is the family farm that has taught me that. It has become a place to feed peace of mind and to experience natural serenity out of the chaos that life often serves us.
How do you find your serenity from chaos?
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About the author
TwitterID: lance02
Darren,
I, too, grew up on a farm. It was a very small farm – but I also had many relatives close by who farmed, as well. You’re right that it can be noisy and chaotic at times. What I remember, too – is those nights about amongst the stars. At the time, “serenity” wasn’t the word that came to me, as a kid. Today as I look back, though – that was very much it. There was a peacefulness about it all – and in that, wonderful moments of life!
It’s great hearing what “serenity” means to you, and even more special because it takes me back to a special time in my life…
.-= Check out Lance’s recent blog >> Smile…And Brighten The World! =-.
TwitterID: DarrenSproat
Lance,
I’m glad I could take you back to a special time in your life. The farm has meant different things to be a different stages of my life but, looking back, there’s one thing that was always constant… there was a purpose in every moment on the farm.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
D
TwitterID: whats_yourstory
you see every time I turn around you pleasantly surprise me again with your thoughts and words! I love it!
I want to go to my farm
My favorite sentence you wrote is “It’s the place you couldn’t put a value on because it meant so much to you.”
We all need that place in our lives!
Thank you Darren for sharing a part of you!
TwitterID: DarrenSproat
Angela,
This serene place is one of those places where the memories are clear… its one of those places where one’s purpose was clear the moment you stepped foot there.
Thanks for commenting.
D
TwitterID: momtohanna
The other night we were out at our neighbors pond fishing. It got later than we had planned (we were actually catching something for a change!). When I looked up from rushing around trying to get everything back in the truck and was taken by surprise.
That line brought tears to my eyes too. We live on a little land. We don’t farm but our home is completely surrounded by farmland ~ it is amazing to watch them farm.
In the almost total darkness there were millions of fireflies. Little lights in the darkness. It was so breathtaking that we took a few minutes to just take it all in.
Then the reality of misquitoes biting the living heck out of me brought me back to this world. But it’s a moment of sheer magic I continue to draw on when I get stressed out.
.-= Check out Jackie Lee’s recent blog >> Clarity Brings About Change =-.
TwitterID: DarrenSproat
lol, Thanks for reminding me of the mosquitoes, Jackie!
Perhaps there is a few lessons here… I am certainly writing a lot on this very subject.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Darren
.-= Check out Darren Sproat’s recent blog >> Promote Yourself =-.
When I need to calm the chaos, I need to go to the water. I love a babbling brook, a raging river, the ocean waves. I like a lake too, but there is something about the sound of the rushing water drowning out the voices in my head telling me everything I should or should not be doing! When I get overwhelmed, I find me some water. As a matter of fact, I believe I hear the Yellow River calling me now…
TwitterID: DarrenSproat
Bernice,
I like the bubbly chatter of water as well and often sit quietly on our patio listening to the small water fountain strategically placed in our back yard.
Thanks for leaving a comment.
Darren
.-= Check out Darren Sproat’s recent blog >> Promote Yourself =-.
You have captured the spirit of the farm with your words. We are so fortunate to have this place for our family to enjoy. A place that is quiet of daily noise and a place to hear our inner self and settle its dis-ease. We are blessed to have this place. Our wish is for everyone to find their place of serenity.
Uncle Brian and Aunt Colleen
TwitterID: DarrenSproat
Uncle Brian and Aunt Colleen,
Thank you so much for leaving a comment here… The farm truly is a place of peace and serenity regardless of whether we are there busting our rumps working or just enjoying a morning sunrise. Hope all remains well with you and see you soon!
D
TwitterID: mileslowe
Dear Darren
I grew up on a small farm as well . Someone asked me the other day about my best friends growing up . I replied my best friends were mostly my cousins as we all lived so close and spend so much time together
As a young child I was referred to as my dads shadow, as I was always 1 to 2 steps behind him. I truly miss the silence and feeling one gets by spending my time with the farm animals. Now that farming is a big business, people don’t seem to have time to enjoy a neighbors visit. Even though farm life is physically demanding I believe the family is closer, reason being the amount of time spent together.
Our farm helped me see life from a different view, love and appreciation of all forms of life. My only wish is I would have understood more as a youngster how much farm life REALLY meant to me.
Thanks Miles
TwitterID: DarrenSproat
Miles, I am going through some old posts and realized I didn’t respond to your very insightful and personal comment. Thanks for sharing and, by all means, don’t hesitate to return and comment on other posts. I miss the family bonding at our farm… nothing else compares. My cousin and I, we’re as close as brothers and I attribute it all to our time at the farm.
Thanks again for commenting.
Darren