For seven days I would be reflecting on the above “My Farm! Our Lives”. Two days ago I posted a short video clip of myself in my little Farm/ Garden at my backyard.
The video unexpectedly attracted a lot of comments. To some, it was a drama, not depicting someone in a farming mood. My white attire was their objections, drawing from it their comical innuendos. For them a Farmer must be in rags, looking some how dirty and ruffled. This I will address subsequently as we progress.
For others, it was a cheering view which everyone should get involved, maximising the little space one has either at the backyard or elsewhere. The truth is,there are more empty fertile grounds than potential persons who may not have interest in farming.
I grew up loving how to use hoes passionately. Growing up, going to farm with my siblings was something we delighted in.
We would go out in the morning, spend the whole afternoon under the scorching sun, either making moles, planting or weeding depending on the season, during holidays.
My elder brother (Fr Larry) wasn’t too involved in farming, but had great passion for rearing of chickens.
I remember one year he reared broilers. Sadly, hungry village thieves broken into his Pen and made away with all the broilers, leaving him with an empty pen. It was an unfortunate situation,very disheartening then.
I guess priesthood has dimmed that passion in him. Though he loves keeping pets. Dogs specifically.
I once had a stint with piggery, an expression of my love for nature and husbandry. Poor management by the guy I handed it to handle, saw its end quicker than I expected.
Why do I reminisce this? To let you into our small world of husbandry. The mere sight of a blossoming farm and animal husbandry gives me the kind of feelings that are beyond expression. Call it ecstacy one may not be far from it.
The farm/ garden I posted two days ago was more than a farm/ garden. It is a space for musings for me. It churns out deep musings for me daily.
Mere standing before the farm in the morning and evening, looking at the greenery of my crops , the movement of the leaves and the chirping of birds and insects open a deep and wide channels of unbroken surge of inspirations.
There is an immeasurable connection between humans, plants and animals. We live in mutual benefit mode, making life easier to navigate for those who find in plants and animals a deep symbiotic connection .
Plants and Animals are crucial for human survival, providing nutrition, warmth, clothing, and shelter, as well as the air that we breathe in the case of plants emission of oxygen which we humans live on.
There are a whole lot to learn from farming beyond its botanical economy. In the coming days I will be looking at the various communications that go on between the conscious soul of a man and the various activities that go on in ones farm. Keep a date with me.
My farm is beyond planting and weeding. It is beyond adhering to the rag and dirty dress code for local farming; much more than planting and eating. It is a place for rejuvenation; where my soul meets with the sensitivity of plants for insights and musings.
It is more of a Garden of Eden by my backyard where I planted every tree that was pleasant to look at, very edible food.
My Farm/garden also has the Tree of Life, emiting with great subtility those deep inspirations that come from the Divine, with no tree of knowledge of good or evil.
Join me on my daily musings on “My Farm! Our Lives”!! It promises to be refreshing.
Jarlath Uche Opara Jarlathuche@gmail.com
