My alone time with the goats normally comes to light in the early morning hours as I am milking one of them. The barn, where the milk room is located, is normally quiet and abandoned as most of the herd is outside grazing or rummaging through the hay I just placed in their feeders.
This morning as I enjoyed a peaceful moment with one of the milkers my thoughts turned to the goat.
She isn’t the prettiest goat in the world. She looks rather thin. She is very healthy. Her scraggly winter coat has been shed. What is left is her glossy “summer-do.” She comes to the milk room to do a job for me. She puts every ounce of her body into her milk. She puts on no airs. She does her job well. She provides the amount of quality milk that no other doe provides. She does not complain. She requires no special care.
Isn’t that how we (as humans) should be? We produce without complaints because we are given the daily opportunity to do so? We do not need to be beautiful, because we are a special and unique begin to begin with. If we do what is needed, consistently, we will provide for ourselves (and others) so much more than what is needed…calmly, on a daily basis.
Why rush? Why hurry? Why try to be someone we are not? We simply put our best foot forward and give in to what does come naturally, and happily.
Thank you to the not-so-pretty, un-named goat. You not only provide beautiful milk for our lotions and soaps, you provide a lesson in life.
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
Beautifully put, Mary. Thank you.
Thank you, Diane. Our animals are such blessings. Taking the time to care for them, and soaking in the quiet, really does bring on some healthy reflection time.
Thank you, Diane. Our animals are such blessings. Taking the time to care for them, and soaking in the quiet, really does bring on some healthy reflection time.
What a beautiful analogy Mary. This is so true. So often it is not the flashy animal or person in our lives that really makes a difference for the better, it is the reliable, un-complaining ones , the people and animals in our lives that do what they SHOULD do, and even more, without complaint or begrudging .They do what is right or best because that is all they can do, why do otherwise? So often we overlook or take for granted those very special beings. Shame on us !
It is good to remember to appreciate the reliable ones in our lives, thank-you for the reminder.
Mary….this is so true…..you’re a gift!
xoxo lylah
I feel the same. Love you, Lylah.
I am eagerly awaiting photos of the new soaping space!! xo Jen
One of our Mennonite friends made a statement regarding work when we first met him. I will never forget his words, “I should not complain.”. I agree! It was inspiring.
Kathy, it is good to remember even the smallest and plain things in life.
Warm hugs to you, Jennifer.
We have some final steps to complete (goat fencing and insulation/interior walls), then we make the big move. We are looking at just weeks now. It is definitely exciting.
Good post! Been there, done that when we were milking goats but we’re retired from goats so we’re not milking anymore.
Amy
Goats are good workers – ours keep the pastures trimmed down to reduce fire dangers and provide me with unconditional, nonjudgmental ears for my various discussion topics with them! Good post indeed – we need to appreciate the basics – those who work providing our needs are a blessing.
I thought you would enjoy reading this, Linda Sue. I caught myself calling our goats “children” a few days ago as I was trying to get them to part ways (let me through the crowd). Like you, I truly treasure them for the various things they weave into our lives.
Some work so hard for the basic needs, and they do it so unwittenly, so quietly, without glamour or glitter. They are to be treasured!
I use Google Reader to keep up with many blogs that I enjoy, Linda Sue. Recently I have been unable to leave comments on some due to settings on my computer. It will be fixed soon…wanted you to know that I am lurking (reading)!