Do you ever feel like you and your family are so busy with summer events and vacations that you don’t even have time to just slow down and live in the present?
I know I do.
I have tied myself down for at least 8 weeks every summer for the past 10 years to raise a batch of meat chickens for my family (plus some to share with you!). I have always valued the end product, which is incredibly healthy and delicious chicken. I’ve also learned to love the space that it brings to my life.
Committing eight weeks of summer to raising and processing chickens seems like a big waste of time to some people. They’ll say things like “doesn’t that tie you down”, or “is that really worth it”.
The answer is yes, to both of those.
Yes, it ties me down.
For eight weeks, every day, I’m here at the farm to feed and water the chickens and move them to fresh pasture. This also means I’m at home, usually with my family. To me, it doesn’t feel like being tied down. It feels like a break from a busy summer schedule. A time to slow down and live in the present.
Yes, it’s worth it. Maybe I’m tying myself down, but there is absolutely no place I’d rather be. Am I tying myself down, or am I prioritizing what’s important to me? I’m not thinking about what destination we’re heading to next, or what event we need to be at. I can just be close to home enjoying summer with my family.
Some of my favorite times during summer are the slow times. Playing ball in the yard with the kids, canoeing the local rivers, taking the kids swimming, having lemonade and snacks in the shade, watching a 9 o’clock sunset with our three-year old who should be in bed already …
You might not have commitments to a farm, but we all have commitments that “tie us down”.
Having a family, being active in your community, serving at a church, coaching a sports team, being part of a band. Lots of things can require our time and energy, and we do them because they bring meaning and purpose to our life.
Thankfully, some of them also give us a chance to slow down and live in the present, because those summer memories and connections that we seek to make with our families are not always far off on an elaborately planned vacation. Most of them are right in front of us if we’ll just take the time to be present and enjoy them.
Our Minnesota summer is flying by as usual, and I’m glad I’ve tied myself down enough to be able to enjoy it.
I hope you’re finding time to slow down and enjoy your summer too.
Herman