An Old Farmer's Advice

Editorial | Advent Messenger

Farmers are a lot smarter than we think. Our politicians and bankers carry out their over-paid jobs sitting in leisure, comfortable offices in splendid isolation from the land. Politicians and bankers manage peoples' resources. But what are they doing to provide sustainability? That's what farmers do. Farming requires advanced planning for raising stock, planting and harvesting crops, fertilizing soil and maintaining everything in perfect balance to produce a vital resource for sustaining life! This is honest, hard work that benefits all of mankind. Our leaders in Washington can learn from this. Here is a list of advice from an old farmer.

• Keep skunks and bankers at a distance [this is good for staying out of debt].
• Words that soak into your ears are whispered – not yelled.
• Meanness doesn't just happen overnight.
• Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
• Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
• It doesn't take a very big person to carry a Grudge.
• You cannot unsay a cruel word.
• When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
• The best sermons are lived, not preached.
• Don't judge folks by their relatives.
• Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
• Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging' [another debt advice].
•The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with watches you from the mirror every morning.
• Always drink upstream from the herd.
• Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.
• If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around.
• Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.