Thursday, December 30, 2010
In contemplating about what I wanted to blog about in my first post a thought came to mind of a practice or theme that has been a reoccurring one in my life for the past seven months. It is a practice that really hit home with me as I spent many hours this past summer harvesting lavender at the Yule Love It Lavender Farm located in Leonard, MI. It is a practice that I am learning to embrace as I strive to live “The Best Life.” What is it you ask? It is the practice of “Using What You Already Have.”
“Using what you already have?” you might question. Why that seems like such a simple concept or practice, one may think. I would completely concur, but in this fast pace world, that to me seems filled with the pressures to have the latest “stuff” and keep up with the latest gadgets and trends, it is a practice that can be easily forgotten.
Iris Underwood, the owner of Yule Love It Lavender Farm really centered the focus of her farm on this practice. It was great to observe her this past summer in such a calm fashion, when hosting events and teas. She did not get uptight about making everything look so perfect. She would often comment, “After all this is a working farm” and a beautiful farm she had. The pergola and pavilion from which she hosted many teas and events were filled with mismatched tables and chairs. My first day working there I remember thinking “Oh boy non of this stuff matches.” However, it did not take long for me to see how quickly those mismatched tables and chairs were turned into beautiful works of art once they were adorned with vintage table cloths and mismatched vintage china to serve her famous Lavender Lemon Currant Scones and lavender teas. People did not seem to notice or care about the chair or bench they were seated on. Instead they were consumed with the beauty of the vintage tablecloths and the sparkle of the teacups and china from which they consumed their scones and soothing tea. All of this while the guests had the opportunity to gaze at the deep purple fields of blooming lavender plants. The most important thing that the patrons then turned their focus and attention to were the family and friends with whom they were partaking in the tea practice.
Family? Friends? Yes, relationships, the thing that I believe is one of the most important things of life and is something that our attention and focus can be turned to when we embrace the practice of “Using What You Already Have.” Using the stuff that we already have in our lives allows us the time to turn our attention and focus on our friends and families. Rather then being consumed with trying to get the latest “stuff.” It allows us to use our creative energies and invent new uses for old things. It also allows us more time to relax and focus on important things like family and friends. Today I encourage you to take time out of your busy schedule, dust off some old tea cups, steep some tea, and sit down with a friend and enjoy each others company for a moment or two. Don’t be consumed with everything appearing perfect, use what you have and enjoy each other’s company.
For more information about Iris Underwood and the Yule Love It Lavender Farm please go to the website www.yuleloveitlavender.com/
