As we mature, it seems we start to believe that a part of life isn’t necessary anymore.

Having been fortunate to grow up in a rural setting, it would be impossible to count the number of times I’ve been given advice. Of course, it makes no difference where one matures because advice is always given — even if one doesn’t think it’s important. So, I ask you to ponder this: From where or from whom have you received advice?

Take a moment to reflect on that question while I pour a bit of Barton & Guestier Beaujolais Gamay. It’s a very nice red wine with notes of raspberry and cherry that are well balanced and will give you a long full tasting finish.

It only seems fair that I answer my own question, so hang on, here it comes! I have always gotten advice from the gardens and fields around me. I learned a lot about life in our family garden, and by extension, our farm fields.

I was told to not let the little things bug me. Naturally, there were plenty of little things like gnats and flies in the garden, and they could be very annoying. With those annoyances, it was sometimes hard to concentrate on the big things like the plants around me. But the advice I received was sound advice. Pay attention to the big things and don’t let the little things bug you.

Walking through a field of blooming alfalfa, I felt outstanding in my field. Duh! I was taller than anything else around me. So what, right? I felt it was important for me not to damage anymore alfalfa plants than necessary so I was careful while walking. I did it the best I could do. The advice I gained from that field was wherever your career takes you, do the best you can do. You may not be the top dog, but by doing the best you can do, you’ll be outstanding in your “field.”

That alfalfa field filled me marvelous aromas and visual beauty. Of course, then the heavy lifting began when we baled all that alfalfa.

After the baling was done, the garden/field had another touch of advice for me — take thyme for yourself. Yes, I mean thyme! I so enjoy walking by our local library, and seeing and smelling the variety of herbs and flowers growing within its patio area. How can you go wrong with thyme? It’s minty and citrus aromas and tastes prompt you to take time for yourself. Take thyme/time for yourself is another bit of advice from a garden.

Now, here’s some more sage advice for you — cultivate long lasting friendships.

You know, friendships are similar to the seeds we sow in a garden. Some of them grow, mature and yield as expected. However, some seeds start growing, and for whatever reason, they wither and die. Then, there are seeds we plant that keep coming back season after season. Are those seeds/friendships a result of luck or because we carefully tend to them? In any event, sow the seeds of kindness.

I am going to kind of offer some advice one of out sons gave us awhile ago. I suppose I wouldn’t quote it correctly, but you’ll get the idea.

“Some ships are made of wood. Some ships are made of iron. But, the best ships are friendships that last a lifetime.”

Seek the advice of your “garden,” your friends and family who surround you. Cultivate those relationships, listen for the sage advice, don’t let the little things bug you, and be outstanding your field of life by taking thyme for yourself.

Find your favorite wine, and sip it in your garden. May your garden of life forever flourish.

As always, eat and drink in moderation, but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!