Enough Is Never Enough

I realized today that it has been a while since I sat with my thoughts and posted here. The flow of the holiday season swept me up and I admit I can get carried away. It took me many years and much self reflection to realize that busy is not better. That more is not better. And that enough is actually enough. The holiday season, while my favorite time of year, can really push us in some profound ways and it seems to me that for so many people enough is still never enough. I see this notion that more is somehow better play out in all sorts of ways; but the closest to home hits with our animals. We often get asked “what other animals will you get”….Hmmm… interesting question.

Over the years I have learned the hard way that it is best for everything to have a purpose and a place. So before an animal can enter our ranch it has to have a distinct purpose (bringing us joy is a valid purpose) and the place that it will live needs to be built before it arrives. As a working homeschool mother I often chuckle when asked about what future animals we will acquire, most days the current menagerie feels like more than enough. I have learned it is actually quite a compliment to be asked about more animals. The demand for more actually reflects that people are enjoying what we do and this is flattering. The connection to nature and animals is a powerful experience and it makes my heart full knowing we are able to meet this need in an original way.

The reality is that we are not a zoo, we are not a sanctuary, we are a mom and her kids who have a passion for the natural world and our animals. I spend a good portion of each day dreaming about the future and discerning the next best way to create a positive animal encounter. The next best move for us to live our best lives. I try and create with intention and as soon as I have fully vested my idea and the purpose we will add animals and grow in new ways.

For now we have 13 goats…and hoping for some kids this Spring. 15 chickens. 11 ducks. 5 rabbits. 3 dogs. 2 guinea pigs. A cockatiel, a tortoise, a cat and one amazing sometimes blind potbelly pig. Feels like enough.

But…I did meet a woman who has mini cattle…and as I have already mentioned I never say never. As soon as I saw them my wheels started turning. Inspiration was there and I do love creating so who knows what the future holds. Guess I need to get to work on a cattle pen :)

For me time with my animals is more than enough. Walking around the trees with my goats is soothing to my soul and reminds me that nature really is calming and satisfying. I hope to not get swept away in the rest of the hectic holiday season and to just be very present and enjoy our time together around the bonfire. I absolutely adore sharing animals with you and can’t wait to make s’more memories soon!