Dear Farmer,
Every season, we sow our seeds with hope. We toil under the sun, water the crops with care, and dream of a better harvest—a better life. But have you ever paused to ask yourself: What does “better” mean? And when is it enough?
The hardest financial skill isn’t budgeting or mastering the markets—it’s learning to stop moving the goalpost. This means recognizing when you have enough.
Think of it this way: if your expectations rise every time you achieve more, your satisfaction will never catch up. The yield from that bumper harvest, the profit from selling your livestock, or the success of your tobacco crop will always feel like just another step in an endless race.
Modern farming, much like modern capitalism, is a double-edged sword. It creates wealth and opportunities but also fuels envy. When we compare ourselves to others—neighbors with bigger tractors, larger farms, or more cattle—it’s tempting to push harder, risk more, and forget to celebrate what we’ve already achieved.
But here’s the truth: happiness isn’t about having the most land or the fattest wallet. It’s about finding contentment in what you have. As the saying goes, Happiness = Results - Expectations. If you constantly chase bigger goals without appreciating your progress, you’ll always feel like you’re falling behind.
Farming is risky enough as it is. Taking unnecessary risks—like overextending loans, planting unfamiliar crops without research, or expanding faster than your resources allow—only increases stress. And stress steals joy.
So, dear farmer, take a moment to reflect.
What is your enough?
Are you farming to live well, or are you living to farm more?
Can you find joy in this season’s harvest, no matter its size?
Success is not measured by endless growth but by sustainable progress. Set goals, yes, but don’t let them consume you. Rest your mind as you rest your fields.
May your crops thrive, your animals flourish, and your heart be full—not with envy, but with contentment.
Sincerely,
Your Fellow Advocate for the Farmer’s Spirit