Top 22

My son turns 22 this week. For some reason, his birthday this year is far more significant to me than his milestone last year.

So I made a list of the Top 22 suggestions for living. Will doesn’t particularly need this list – he already lives well and is thriving.

But when the tire goes flat and the cow won’t go up the alley and the toilet overflowed and somebody just pulled through the gate and I wonder if I accidently left my record book in my jeans and threw them in the washer, it might be time to take a breath and review what I know.

From my tractor seat on a gorgeous April morning, here is my Top 22:

1)      In Montana, we don’t mind driving 5 hours, visiting a friend and driving home in a single day. This is a Western mindset. Not everyone thinks like us.

2)      Checking the oil in your car, truck and tractor saves time in the long run. A lot of time. And money.

3)      Pretention is unnecessary -- nobody likes a show off -- but cleaning up the shop protects the tractor starter.

4)      People can only take from you what you give them.

5)      Be generous.

6)      Happiness comes from strong relationships, feeling productive, and giving back. Did I mention money? No, I did not.

7)      Fear should not control a person.

8)      When you are prepared, you reduce fear.

9)      Most people are good.

10)  The grass will green up eventually.

11)  Find beauty in the little details.

12)  Plant a garden for your future. Plant seeds of things you love to eat. Even chickens won’t eat kale.

13)  Stand proud.

14)  Stand humbly.

15)  Sometimes the wheel falls off your truck anyway.

16)  Usually, it’s easier to pick up the netwrap when you feed instead of going back later. The exception is when snow pelts your face and the sheep are swarming around the tractor with a death wish. The netwrap can wait.

17)  Think like a cow when you work with cows, think like a sheep when you work with sheep and think cynically when you work with politicians.

18)  Treat people, the earth and animals the way you want to be treated.

19)  Sometimes the best answer is no. For everyone involved.

20)  You can make lentils and cauliflower taste good, but it takes effort. A lot of effort.

21)  Find something to think about, something to appreciate, something to love and something to do. Every day.

22)  Just take the next step.