Creating Space Amidst the Chaos: Lessons from the Barnyard in Restorative Practice

Friday Fables: Leadership Tales from the Barnyard

Space…the final frontier.

In today’s whirlwind world, time often feels like a rare commodity, and deliberately leaving gaps in my schedule can feel like charting unexplored territory. As someone who tends to prioritize others' needs over my own, saying no and establishing boundaries around my time can be a constant struggle. Additionally, I grapple with the fear of missing out on opportunities to learn and grow, despite the stark reality that our time on this earth is finite.

Balancing the demands of various commitments—courses, a doctoral program, certifications, work projects, client engagements, networking events, and more—often leaves me promising to reclaim some space once current obligations are met. However, more often than not, that space quickly fills up with new tasks and responsibilities. The past half-year has been particularly hectic, with a deluge of commitments demanding my time and attention. From managing a full-time job, caring for elderly relatives, tending to sick children and animals, overseeing home renovations, pursuing education and entrepreneurial ventures, to grappling with personal loss, each day has been packed to the brim.

Then, amidst the chaos, I make a conscious choice to engage in collaborative endeavors with friends and colleagues from around the globe, activities that invigorate me and fuel my energy. Yet, to say that my creativity hasn't suffered from the aforementioned demands would be an understatement.

In the past week, I deliberately slowed down and observed our animals, seeking inspiration. What I discovered was eye-opening: when an area becomes overcrowded with animals, the land's ability to recover is severely compromised, if not entirely impossible. This overgrazing necessitates larger quantities of nutrients such as grains and hay to sustain the animals' health.

A poignant example of this occurred when we rescued 13 Kune Kune pigs. Although initially reluctant to take on pigs, the urgent need to rehome them touched our hearts, prompting us to step in and help. While we were fortunate to find homes for most of them, four remained on our farm. Unfortunately, their presence led to significant damage to the land due to overcrowding. To address this, we are currently establishing boundaries by fencing off additional areas. This enables us to rotate the pigs and goats between pastures, allowing the land to rest, recover, and rejuvenate—a crucial step in ensuring its long-term health and vitality.

Another interesting observation in the barnyard was the unlikely partnership between the cows and the donkeys. Although they don't exactly see eye to eye (there's no BFF status between them ??), they have a mutual understanding during rest periods. Seamus, Darcy, and Clifford, the cows, often seek shade under the trees for a break, while the donkeys keep watch nearby. In return, one of the cows reciprocates by watching over the donkeys as they rest. It's fascinating to see how they all prioritize moments of rest and relaxation, showing a shared intentionality in taking time to simply be.

?So, this weekend, I decided to put my observations into practice and embrace a day of pure relaxation. It all began with a visit to our local farmer’s market on Saturday morning, followed by a leisurely stroll through downtown Rockford, MI. As luck would have it, there was a festive "May the 4th be with you/Cinco de Mayo" celebration underway, so my wife and I decided to bring the kids back downtown to join in the fun.

We grabbed a couple of camp chairs and settled in at a park overlooking the river and dam, each of us with a book in hand. With chores piling up on the farm, we both recognized the importance of taking this time to simply be, to recharge our spirits after the challenges of the past few months. And as we sat there, soaking in the tranquility of the moment, I felt a sense of renewal wash over me—a rekindling of creativity and connection that had been missing amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life - plus the extra.

It's been a while since I've shared a Friday Fable, but I hope today's reflections shed some light on the importance of carving out space for ourselves in a world that's constantly in motion.

My lessons from this week’s Friday Fable:

1. Protect your space by setting intentional boundaries. Saying “no” today creates room for the most meaningful “yes” tomorrow.
2. Recognize the activities that rejuvenate your spirit and prioritize them by scheduling time for them on your calendar. Keeping your creative mind fresh is essential for overall well-being.
3. Embrace support from others during times of rest and remember to reciprocate the kindness. We're all in this together, and mutual assistance strengthens our bonds and builds resilience.

Busyness is not a noble trait. Instead, I remind myself of the value in slowing down, connecting with others, and purposefully contributing to the betterment of those around me.

If these tales from the farmyard have sparked your interest or resonated with you, I encourage you to show your support by liking and sharing this post. Let's keep the conversation going on LinkedIn, where we can delve deeper into the lessons learned from our experiences, both the triumphs and the mishaps. Feel free to send me a message to explore how these insights could benefit you, your team, or your organization. I'm excited to connect with you and exchange ideas!

Until next the next Friday Fable – be well!

~Dr. Doug