I live in suburban Atlanta these days so you may be asking yourself what in the world the title of this blog is doing on a personal coaches site that is nowhere near the country!
There are lessons in everything and a person can grow wherever they are! So I’d love to take the time to share what I have learned from having my childhood years occupied by more land than actual people.
Lesson 1. Everything takes time.
In the city “time is money” and people are trying to fold things in, in order to create more of it. What country living has taught me is that time is time. So, city people have traffic and country people have miles and miles to drive to anything. It is still 45 minutes to get to where you need to be. No matter where you live.
Time is a variable and slowing down to absorb it is what really creates riches. Everyone gets 24 hours- no one gets more or less. Time is time. Everything takes it. Living in the country made me realize I need to saturate, absorb and soak in it, not try and make money out of it.
Lesson 2. Manners get you far in life.
I have learned that this is not a southern thing. It is not even a traditional versus modern thing. This is a country thing. North, South, East, West or down under. If you live in rural areas you do slower and you do manners differently than city folks. Using them is a gift no matter where you are and respect and consideration of others gives you a leg up no matter where you are.
Lesson 3. OPEN SPACE creates peace and creativity.
Rural areas just have more land. Its a fact but they also seem to be more sparse with there decor as a whole. Yes-you’ve got the classic nic-nacks and child memorabilia but you don’t have as much graffiti, art, and over, iced furniture. Most farms everything they own has a purpose and if it doesn’t have a purpose – it is not there. What this open space creates is a canvas for for evaluating everything. For a farmer, if it has no purpose – why keep it? SPACE – whether outside or in gives breathing room and a greater tranquility of mind.
Lesson 4. Animals are important. So is having purpose.
The city has animals too but the rural has far greater diversity with goats, cows, chickens and even silly exotic animals that are not allowed in the city. There is deep importance and love for them. Many of these animals bring food, others you ride or help out by doing certain jobs. They all matter and all have a purpose.
Lesson 5. Knowing where your food comes from is important.
Gardens are everywhere. These gardens ground you back to earth and deeper place of our ancestral heritage and purpose. As you nourish yourself and learn life skills and the patterns of the land it can bring deep satisfaction.
No matter where you live this is vital and a life giving skill to have. Especially as the world gets more fake. Living in the rural areas of America has its plus and minus just like living in the city does. Taking the lessons of both wherever you are will expand your views to what the beautiful world has to offer.
Life Lessons of BOTH:
Advocate for Yourself
Keep a Garden
Time is Time-use it well
Intentionality matters
Manners get you far in life
SPACE brings peace
Bigger doesn’t mean better, just more options.
Creating Exceptional 