To live on a homestead, one must always be thinking about the future. What will the weather be like tomorrow? When should I winterize the chicken coop? When will the vegetables be ready for harvest? Not pondering these questions or not taking appropriate actions can result in disaster.
Animals will freeze and die if their shelters are not appropriate for the season. Vegetables will rot on the vine if they are not picked at the appropriate time. And not checking the weather report can result in outdoor work being planned on a day that is inappropriate.
So the careful homesteader always has an eye toward the future. And he always has a to-do list at the ready; looking for what items can be checked off quickly and efficiently in that moment.
That said, there is a real danger that presents itself if we do not strike a good balance between future planning and present living. Being out in the country among the birds, the bees, and the sunshine causes one to be surrounded by all kinds of natural beauty. More than that, there are many lessons that can be learned through farm work and caring for animal friends.
But all of that beauty and all of those lessons live in the present moment. And if we are not paying attention, we will lose the opportunity to take them in. One example from my own experience comes every morning at sunrise.
In my neck of the woods, the sun rises at different times, depending on the time of year. At some points in the year it breaks the horizon as early as 5:30 a.m. And during other times it likes to sleep in, not showing its face until almost 8:00 a.m. The sunrise is always beautiful, but the nature of that beauty changes depending on the time of year.
During the summer, the sun’s rays are greeted by the incessant chirping of birds; all of whom are hoping to be the early one that gets the worms. Squirrels rub the sleep out of their eyes and run up and down tree trunks in an attempt to steal birdseed from my feeder.
During the winter, that same sun is greeted by silence. The birds have all migrated south for the winter and the squirrels are hibernating, living off the fat reserves they built up over the warmer months. In those days, it feels less like the world is being awakened and more like darkness is being chased away by the sun’s golden light.
It’s a subtle difference, one that is hard to put into words. But in the summer, joy comes from the day starting. And in winter, relief comes from the night ending. As strange as it sounds, I’ve lived on this land for several years, but it was only recently that I noticed this phenomenon.
Previously, I was so wrapped up in future planning and completing my to-do list that the rising sun was little more than a signal that it was time to start the day. In the summer I would be thankful for the extra light while I went about my chores, and in the winter I was usually tied up with something in the house by the time the sun made its appearance.
I’m a bit saddened when I think of the many missed opportunities I had to stop for a moment and enjoy the miracle of the rising sun.
These days, I try to take a few moments each morning to appreciate the changing world around me. Of course, it is not possible to sit like a bump on a log all day and get anything done. But I stand on the porch with a hot beverage—usually tea but sometimes coffee—watching the world change around me.
As the sun rises higher in the sky, I can see the rays poke through trees; spotlighting different sections of the garden. And I watch as the trees, the grass, and the sky change in color from muted grays to vibrant shades of brown, green, and blue. It’s a wonderful experience, and it often feels like a personal gift that I’m receiving from the natural world.
In Buddhism, right mindfulness is the seventh step on the Noble Eightfold Path. When we practice mindfulness, the goal is to pay close attention to the four pillars of mindfulness: thoughts, emotions, body, and environment. By being mindful of these things, we become more interconnected with the world around us. We are able to correct occurrences that cause harm to ourselves and others. And we are able to appreciate events that bring joy and happiness.
One simple way to practice right mindfulness is to look around and find something that brings a smile to our face. This may be a sunrise, a flower, or the face of a close friend.
Namu Amida Butsu
Related features from BDG
Right Mindfulness and Vegetable Gardens
On the Practice of Right Mindfulness
From Mindfulness to Right Mindfulness: Pāli Buddhist Thought
Right Mindfulness in Systems Design
What is “Right Mindfulness” in Pure Land Buddhism?
Right Mindfulness (Sammā Sati)
