The story is told of a farmer whose corn each year earned the winning prize at the state fair. One year, a reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew his corn. The farmer told the reporter that he shared his prize-winning seed corn with his neighbors.

When asked why, the farmer explained: “The wind picks up the pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If the neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

I was in my early 20s and persistently worried, constantly ruminating about some real or imagined trauma. But I had a good friend—no doubt frustrated with me—who would calmly advise me to breathe, fall back, regroup, and just be.

It seemed I was almost always in fix-it mode, rushing to judgment and making snap decisions. She encouraged me to turn within for guidance, but I resisted because I thought it would take too long.

Eventually I understood that sometimes the only way to determine what is mine to do is to do nothing and listen to Spirit.

My dear friend Carol answers everyone who asks how she is doing with a smile and five simple words: “I’m blessed no matter what!”
I have known Carol for nearly 40 years. She recently celebrated 80 years, and like for most people, those years have been marked by joy and sorrow.

At one time, she was a single parent with five children, working two jobs to give them the best life she could. Carol put herself through cosmetology school and became a master in the trade. I know because I’m one of many who benefit from her amazing talent.

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