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Family time is quality time.
OPINION: Many sunsets ago, I learnt from one of the older father figures in my life the ageless truth that, “Balance is the key to life”.
Six simple words easily put together; quick and easy to read, but so much harder to live! I well remember thinking at the time; ‘Huh … whatever is that all about?’ I didn’t get it at all back then. If it sounds a little patronising for you at the moment, then how about this old adage from yesteryear - “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
Yep, balance is the key to life; these six simple words are surely packed with wisdom we humans need to hear. I have seen too many examples of exactly this gone wrong; and sometimes up close and personal with good friends and family. The end results have at times been tragic.
I’m sure you have heard of the need for a good healthy balanced diet. That’s a given. Things can catch up with you rather quickly if you leave too much of the good stuff out! I’m sure you would have seen the five plus a day advertising or similar, like I have – in the media, on billboards or trucks, etc.
As farmers we know all too well a healthy bank account needs to be balanced; with a balance of both expenditure and income. Get these two out of balance and you can get yourself in very deep yoghurt all too quickly. Phone calls will come that you just don’t want to answer! ‘Yep, been up close and personal with that one’ you may be thinking!
I was on the road several years ago and tuned into Radio Sport to help fill up the time. Dillon Boucher from the champion Breakers basketball team was on with host Willie Lose. What made them such a good team etc. was being discussed. I stopped and wrote down one of his comments: “It’s about the whole person not just the sport; it’s about achieving that balance.” I couldn’t agree more.
Today the letters R & R get used as a brief for Rest and Recreation / Relaxation. Everyone needs some R & R time, farmers included. That’s another given.
It is all too easy for life on the farm to be all work, work, work, and still more work! Some task always seems to be demanding our time. Too often we tackle the tasks, but neglect the call to look after ourselves properly, and take some time out for our own wellbeing. It’s about “the whole person” – remember!
So … let me encourage you to take a breather, schedule some time out for yourself and take a break. And slot-in some quality time for family. Surely it’s much greater wisdom to do this than have it literally forced down your throat.
And yes, I’ve since learned the ‘Good Book’ covers this very subject in detail as well! Take care of yourself and God bless.
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Sam Whitelock is an All Black rugby great, Farmstrong Ambassador and working dairy farmer in the Manawatu. Having stepped away from professional sport and returned to his roots on the family farm, he talks about balancing farm life with advocating for rural wellbeing.
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