Life Lessons From the Avocado Grove

Personal Growth Comes at the Most Interesting Times…

Connie Ragen Green — Life Lessons From the Avocado Grove

My life experience continues to be fabulous and recently a lesson was in store for me as well. I visited a local honey farm not far from where I live. Joined by a dozen friends and colleagues, this was a way for us to spend time together while safely outdoors. The motto of this farm is “from flower, to bee, to hive, to jar” and I like the simplicity of this, don’t you? This business is family-owned and operated and the couple met while they were working for NASA forty years ago! Little did I know I’d learn life lessons from the avocado grove on this day.

I met my group at the honey farm and we were escorted to a private tasting room one of my friends had arranged for us. Because of the safety protocols in place, we each had a private “table for one” where we were served a variety of scrumptious treats. Honey can be repurposed into so many food items that I wouldn’t have ever thought of on my own. Yes, I chose lots of items to be delivered to my home next week so I may share with my family members and close friends for many weeks to come.

After our honey tasting and a tour of their facilities, we went to an avocado ranch owned by two of my friends. Their ranch manager showed us around and educated us on the varieties of avocados and how they get from the trees in the grove to the guacamole and other dishes people create. Then we were given special bags and sent out into the grove to pick three different varieties of avocados and two types (one is so new they wouldn’t tell us its name!) of lemons to take home with us. It was there that I enjoyed a moment of serenity and learned some life lessons that will make a difference in my life and business…

We’ve had extreme wind conditions in southern California and on our Central Coast for several days now. I was fully prepared to be blown away while hiking through the groves, but it was so calm it was almost eerie. Standing in the middle of a row, flanked by trees on both sides and accompanied by the occasional bird, cat, or rodent, I sensed a calm that I did not expect.

The outside world was far away and I was alone with my thoughts. It was at that moment I realized that we get to choose our life experience in every step we take. It’s all a choice, and once we decide…