When patience pays off

My memories of youth, growing up on the farm, include spending entire days climbing trees, hunting for earthworms to use as bait when fishing in the river, eating fruit fresh from the tree while still warm from the sun, catching crabs in the river nearby and riding along on the tractor with my dad.

It is not to say that children growing up in cities do not learn the lessons one learns growing up on a farm, but as a child growing up on a farm, I certainly learned to be innovative, patient and curious about the world; being aware of your surroundings, knowing that your animals depend on you to feed them, and understanding the importance of your daily chores; seeing animals being born and animals who die, and developing an understanding of the circle of life at a young age. As an added bonus, I also learnt a third South African language.

What growing up on a farm taught me included the true meaning of patience; when you see the results of endless hard days paying off. On a farm, your work is dictated by the weather and seasons, it is different every day and never ever mundane!

It is so heartwarming to read and hear all the success stories of farmers sharing their stories of the proof that patience pays off, eventually.

A farmer does not give up so easily. He, or she, will always find a way out because a farmer always makes a plan. Even though loadshedding negatively impacts farmers, they will always find a way out to continue to succeed despite all the challenges. If you do something, do your best to do it right. Make sure you are prepared for planting season. Make sure your cows' condition is right when you put the bulls in. You do not have many chances to do it right. Realise every season this is one season less to make the best of your farm!

However, patience does not only apply to the farming industry, but to any career that you pursue. Your dreams can come true no matter what they are, and time is necessary to live a truly meaningful life surrounded by lasting relationships and community engagement. It is not always easy, but it is worth it and rewarding in the end.

Good luck for the upcoming winter season and enjoy farming!

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