As I gaze out across the never-ending expanse of the Texas prairie, I'm reminded that life is full of surprises. Just when you think you've settled into a certain path, something unexpected can come along and turn your world upside down. This was certainly true for me recently, when I found myself wrestling with the idea of embargoes.
At first, the concept of embargoes was a hard one for me to swallow. For so long, I have been a creature of habit, relying on routines to ground me and shape my days. When I first heard the news that embargoes had been imposed on our ranch, I was immediately filled with dread. Here was something completely unknown; a restriction that was beyond anything I had ever dealt with before.
But as the weeks slowly dragged by, I began to slowly realize the unexpected joy of embargoes. Yes, the uncertainty of not knowing when the embargoes would be lifted was difficult, but it also opened up my eyes to a new kind of beauty; the beauty in embracing the unfamiliar.
I took solace in wandering through the prairie, alone with my thoughts. The dusty roads, once well-trodden, now seemed to lead me into a different kind of wilderness, where I could explore the unknown, and free my mind from the anxieties of life. I found that as I walked, my heart soared higher, and I felt more connected to the earth beneath my feet.
I also used the time to get creative. I experimented with different recipes for home-cooked meals, focusing on ingredients I already had in the house. I picked up new hobbies like joggling and knot tying, and even started making my own natural remedies for any ailments I could have. I felt as if I was rebuilding my world from the ground up, and it felt incredibly liberating.
In time, my worrying slowly started to ease. I meditated on the idea that the embargoes would one day be lifted, however long they would last. And in the meantime, I simply chose to embrace each day for what it was, and savor the little moments that life handed me. Ironically, my fears of embargoes brought a newfound understanding of life and made me appreciate things more than ever before.
So if you ever sadly find yourself subject to an embargo, know that tucked away within the hardship lies the potential for growth and joy. Embracing the unfamiliar and trusting your own strength is a sure path to finding your true happiness.