The Sunday Farmer's Dilemma

oniemaniego(68)

Published in

#art

Words

746

Reading

4 min

Listen

Play

I know a lot of people who want to leave the countryside to have a better future.

And I know, life in the city is truly better in terms of financial capacity, living standards, and opportunities.

There are varied selection of work, higher salary rates, better benefits, easier access to lifestyle and entertainment, and an illusion of having a bigger buying power.

But like what I always reply to people who ask me why I chose to live in the countryside than in the city, being in the city felt like I'm in a rush.

The city life is sped-up, being in it felt like you're in a fast-paced race, like something is chasing everyone and being idle felt like you'll be left behind.

This is so different from the bucolic life I've grown up in, living in the countryside made me feel peace and comfort, it is gentle and unhurried.

It's like the days are longer and more productive.

And because of that, the thought lingers, do I want to be at peace and provide my children with lower-middle class life or should I work hard to provide to my children with upper-middle class life?

There is this stigma among older generataions that farming is a poor man's job and we, the new generation, should not follow their footsteps.

In most rural areas, farming is still inefficient and costly, ranging from minimal to negative returns. With all of these, being a farmer (or a tenant) is still rudely associated as being poor and illiterate.

But that notion has gradually changed as opportunities become more readily available in rural communities, and the lifestyle has somehow already improved.
Originally posted on WordPress
https://wp.me/p9aGvI-kw

I know certain people say, wealth is a attitude and habit. Some will say, I should work in a high salary job to provide my (future) family a good life.

But for me good isn't about making a lot of money. I'm fine with being average, the mediocre—I don't have the urge to climb the ladder.

But I have an urge to climb the tree, the hill, and the mountain. I genuinely feel that I belong to till the earth and reap its sweet fruits.

So I did it, sort of. I started putting my dreams into reality, not to persuade my family to believe me, but to acknowledge myself that I can and I will.

I always dreamt of a tiny house, surrounded with nothing but solitude, away from everyone else.

But that still remains a dream, but slowly that will be a reality.

**Way of Life. **
Watercolor on Paper

Being in touch with the earth, makes me more grounded (no pun intended) and probably the best feeling is knowing you are living your passion.

It may not please others, but you have only a life to serve your purpose than to waste pleasing others.

Pajag (Farmer’s Hut)
Watercolor on Paper

And while you work in the fields now, sweating, thirsty, and famished, someday you will reap more than enough to feed you, to live a good life, and to help others.

But when I die, I would have not enough to share, but only fruits that will rot if not eaten.

I have ancestors, I don't know, some I know by names, but the void of unanswered questions is grueling inside me.

One is, would I be the same with some of them, now forgotten for leaving nothing?

Pineapple and Citrus
Watercolor on Paper

As I get older, I realize that life isn't just mine, it is also for the next generations.

And whatever I do, no matter how direct or indirect, it will be felt by whoever comes after me.

So think (self), what do you want to leave after you die?

Curious about Crypto?
Buy and Sell on Coinbase
Get Started

About Me

@oniemaniego is a test engineer, but outside work, he experiments in the kitchen, writes poetry and fiction, paints his heart out, or toils under the hot sun.


	Onie Maniego was born in Leyte, PH. He grew up in a rural area with a close-knit community and a simple lifestyle, he is often visiting his father's orchards during summer and weekends, which has a great impact on his works.