Simplicity | Stay Simple, Creativity Flows: Lessons from the Cornfield

In 2021, I spent several days at a friend's farm, an experience that unfolded into a beautiful journey of simplicity and self-discovery.

Dressed in a white skirt, I cherished walking barefoot around the courtyard, feeling the sand and dust tickle my feet, embracing the warmth of the sun-baked earth. It was like stepping back into a simpler time, away from the complexities of modern life.

With a ukulele in hand, I wandered around, strumming and singing, embodying the spirit of a wandering minstrel. I found joy in conversing with ancient trees, climbing their sturdy trunks, and resting amongst their leaves. At night, the courtyard, bathed in moonlight, became my observatory, the stars shining brightly without the obstruction of city skyscrapers, the breeze a gentle caress against my skin.

In the morning, I were for running along the cornfields, or helping the farmer with tasks like cutting wheat or weeding. One morning, I got up at 5 AM, the sky already bright, and joined the farmer on his tricycle to a hilltop cornfield. Our task was to clear the weeds growing alongside the corn.

The farmer explained how birds, flying overhead, would drop seeds in their droppings, including those of the morning glory vine. These seeds would sprout and, although beautiful, they would entangle and constrict the growing corn. From afar, the entwined plants looked charming, but this beauty was deceptive. As the vines grew, they strangled the corn, stunting its growth and vitality.

In contrast, the corn stalks growing independently, without any vines or weeds, stood tall and robust, producing large, healthy ears of corn. Observing this, I gleaned a profound lesson from nature.

Aren't we, as individuals, like these corn stalks?

We often get entangled with the 'morning glory vines' of life – external attractions and distractions that we believe enrich us. Gradually, these entanglements become restraints, preventing us from reaching our true potential, from following our unique paths.

Only by freeing ourselves from these distractions can we truly thrive, strong and fruitful, drawing nourishment from the earth and the sky.

This connection with nature made me feel more open, more attuned to the universe's will, allowing me to express it more freely.

Real, heartfelt interactions with others, especially in a space filled with love and trust, nourished my being, filling me with joy and abundance.

In such a state, creativity flows. I found myself learning new songs on the ukulele in an hour, painting trees without instruction, and writing powerful words. This creativity wasn't mine alone; it flowed from the universe, making me its channel.

I realized that to be an effective channel for the universe, one must be empty, humble, and accepting.

Through this process, my life's vision became clearer – to empower others to unleash their creativity and potential, to live a passionate, vibrant life. The trivial worries of the past – career, life choices – seemed insignificant when placed against the grand backdrop of human existence. My focus shifted to creating value for society at large.

This journey at the farm wasn't just a physical one; it was a spiritual awakening, a lesson in living simply and authentically, a reminder that we, too, can grow tall and strong when we rid ourselves of the vines that hold us back.