Francis Schaeffer said that “Life is like a clock that has hands, you can hear the sound of the clock ticking but you don’t know what hour it is”.

How true this is. Imagine yourself at your next medical check-up and the doctor tells you that you only have three months to live. The roller coaster of emotions and the shock will definitely put things in perspective. Time is marching on and death is imminent but it doesn’t make the news any less harsh. So, we must use our time wisely.

My family, like most families in Samoa, have been farming for generations. My parents are very successful farmers, award winning even. I don’t know many farmers who’ve grown as many varieties on their plots like we have in the last 40 years. From asparagus in the 90s, yam beans to different herbs and the ever-faithful pak choi and head cabbages, we’ve done it all.  

I had an epiphany last week when I was asked to take a few photos and videos of the farm for my dad who’s away. I had gone to his house during the lockdown and stayed there without gum boots or sports shoes so I was pretty unprepared for the hard rocks of Fiaga. Luckily, he had some old shoes and they were a good fit.

Walking around the farm giving my dad a virtual tour of all his hard work was awesome. At the same time, I saw some improvement that’s needed. We need more skilful and knowledgeable workers to manage the farm. This is an ongoing challenge for any employer and even more so with RSE [recognised seasonal employer]. We are now competing with New Zealand and Australian farmers and their minimum wage.  

I looked down on my dad’s shoes and I realised that the old saying of filling your dad’s shoes can be thrown out the door. I can actually fill my dad’s shoes with spaces in between for more learning. My parents didn’t one day wake up to this success. It took years of planning, hard work, trial and error. Years that I still have left.

If they started with nothing and they’ve given me much, why shouldn’t I be more successful than they are? I only need to pick up a rake and start. I definitely have great expectations for the next generation and I am sure they will also do well. We just have to find their geniuses and support them in whatever field or career they want to pursue.

Farming is not instant. First you have to clear grass and the mangled mess in your backyard that’s three years old. Then you have to wait a few days, rake away the rocks before planting. Most people won’t try because it is hard, physical work. That’s why a lot of us buy from the market and supermarkets. Some are time or land poor so it’s sensible to buy and provide good support for our local farmers and business owners.

Lockdown is a great time to re-evaluate our priorities. That’s why millions of people quit their jobs when COVID first hit. I compare it to when you are given three or six months to live.  Your perspectives change. Everything that seemed very important no longer matters, so don’t sweat the small stuff.

Don’t be too busy, too important, too successful to forget that one day it will all end. We live and work in the age of great distraction and procrastination, it’s easy to fall prey to those. So many things try to steal our time and that’s what many apps are designed for. Each app is monitored by many individuals who can see how many seconds you spend on them. Once they get the buy-in from you, they will bombard you with targeted advertisements to get more of your time.   

So, as we enjoy another peaceful Sunday in lockdown, remember that nothing is guaranteed. Only today. Today won’t come again. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come. Make the most of every opportunity, embrace the mistakes, appreciate the lessons and move on.  

Remind yourself that the Lord’s coming is one day closer or that death is on its way even if that’s very far. Live life with a sense of urgency about the things that matter most. Let us not live like we're drinking from the fountain of youth, never ending because even if I can’t fully fill my dad’s shoes, it’s alright. I can always wear heels! Have an awesome week ahead Samoa.