A Life Well-Lived ... by Roy Dahl

The farmers gathered at the table in the same way their fathers had before them. Scarred by the years of toil in the fields, and bathed in the warmth of a rising summer sun, they met to discuss the matters of the day. Politics. Religion. Sports. Farming. The tones rose and fell like the breeze, depending on the viewpoint. Sometimes agitated, sometimes nodding in agreement, each took their turn in the foray. By the time the sunlight touched the top of the telephone pole, they knew it was time to return home.

I watched them don their faded baseball caps of varied colours and wondered silently about whether or not each of them was fulfilled. While surely at least one had become a farmer by default, another in the group must have made a conscious decision to ride the ebbs and flows of the agricultural lifestyle. Were they fulfilled? Were there any regrets about whether or not they could have pursued higher education? Did any of them wonder aloud about how their future might have been different, if only they had listened to their parents, or another relative a little more closely? I have. And now, in passing, I know they have as well.

After all, life is about choices. It is about deciding whether one path in the forest of decisions, appears less cluttered than another. For down every path we journey, we pause momentarily to wonder what was down the other path - the road not taken.

The point is, we all have opportunities for growth. We all encounter times when choices must be made that could have a profound impact upon who we are, and who we become. Never be afraid of making the tough choices. Never back away from a challenge, or an opportunity for growth.

When I interviewed several entrepreneurs for my monthly newsletter, I began to understand in clearer terms, what it takes to truly become an entrepreneur. It takes a willingness to leap into the unknown, not knowing if you have all the tools necessary for survival. It takes a commitment to self, your family and your dream, that no earthly force can shake. It takes guts. Successful people are not simply those who have never made a mistake, but rather, are those individuals who are not afraid to make a mistake. Successful entrepreneurs are those who are willing to make a tough choice when lesser mortals will not.

At some point in their lives, I'm certain each of those farmers I met, paused to wonder if this was indeed the life they were meant to inherit. I'm certain some almost gave up, having faced the uncertainty of the markets. But throughout their years, each passed onto their sons and daughters a belief in the dream, a belief in the land, and a belief in self. Like their fathers before them, they chose to live and work on a farm. Granted, it's not getting easier, but many are still thriving.

I spoke briefly with one of those farmers, while waiting to pay our bill. I asked him whether or not he chose his life as a farmer and whether or not it had been a rewarding journey. He simply smiled.

"Son," he began, unfolding a tattered photo to show me his family, "Regardless of what decision I made, I have always been blessed by the people I've met, by the experiences I've had, by the memories I cherish. I've learned there are few regrets in a life well-lived. These people have always been my inspiration whenever I've ever had to choose between two things. I ask myself, 'How would these people feel if I ever made the wrong choice?' So far, I've done alright. Live your life, son. Live yours well."

I watched him hobble towards his truck and found myself longing for his level of contentment. Hopefully, one day soon, I too will make the right choices that lead towards fulfillment. Until then, I have a life to live, and choices to make.