The Importance of Balance ⚖

Photos are from Tender Living Farm's Instagram feed, 2024.

Where yin meets yang.

Today I sent an Audio to two friends, Alice Hahn & Amy Wilson, who are constantly in conversation with me about what fulfilling work looks like for millennials in 2024.

In it I shared what a friend is doing quite well, so let’s take a look at it.

A lovely foraging entrepreneur, who is based outside Calgary in Diamond Valley, Alberta and named after the incredible oracle Isis – founded Tender Living Farm and is now the solo force behind the historical Bertie’s General Store.

What Isis does incredibly well, is oscillate between the states of yin and yang within her business.

When she is in content creation, admin, and business partnerships mode she is yanging it! And excelling at it.

But what makes her so effortless, cool, and regenerative is her boundaries around her yin.

NOTE: Now is a good time to say that this is what I perceive as a witness, customer, follower, and fan of Isis’ work. It may not be her lived experience but this is my impression of her business.

So the other half of her work, which probably isn’t even remotely divided or a clean split – is being in deep relationship with the land. Her yin work.

When she isn’t holding the floor at Bertie’s, shipping her goods across North America, or promoting her most recent collaboration – she is visiting the land.

She is out there with her partner and their dog, watching what mushrooms the squirrels have flipped to dry for the winter. She is watching as the rosehips get ready for the picking at the first frost. She is wading in the waters of Sheep River. And . . . she is making a fire in the wild to enjoy tea with her kin; the beings that matter most to her.

I tell you this story because Isis’ business feels sustainable and so much of what we engage in isn’t.

In the audio I shared between friends I explored how as human beings WE ARE TO BE IN BOTH YIN AND YANG.

Not one or the other.

Yet the corporate world demands we live in yang. We tap our intellect, pillage our thoughts while our bodies cry out for rest.

I also believe an over-extension of yin wouldn’t be great either unless we are in recovery. Stress is often the catalyst of growth. We inevitably live in it. Stressors from our internal world, our communities, and even the land/weather.

Simply put, we need both.

But I leave you with the question: how can we take a page out of Isis’ book and find balance?

Be rigid with our limits so we can be limitless.

I am curious.

Do yourself a favor and check out Isis' botanical blends and plant medicines at tenderlivingfarm.ca or in person at CampLand in Calgary or Bertie's General Store in Diamond Valley, AB, Canada

Article FAQs generated by Chat GPT:
1. What specific challenges or strategies has Isis encountered in balancing the yin and yang aspects of her business?
Balancing the dual demands of running a business and engaging deeply with the land requires setting clear boundaries. To maintain balance, she likely implements strategies such as scheduling time for reflection and connection with nature, ensuring her "yin" work is a non-negotiable part of her life. This could involve rituals or routines that ground her and remind her to shift gears from action to introspection.

2. How can someone in a high-demand, corporate environment practically integrate more yin into their daily routine?
In a corporate setting, integrating more yin could start with carving out intentional time for rest and mindfulness, even during the workday. Small changes like taking breaks for deep breathing, stepping outside for fresh air, or setting boundaries around work hours can help. Additionally, prioritizing activities that foster creativity or relaxation, such as journaling, meditation, or walks in nature, can be ways to reconnect with yin energy. The key is to create moments of stillness to counterbalance the constant push of "yang" productivity.

3. What impact has this balance between yin and yang had on the success or growth of Isis' business?
The balance between yin and yang appears to have contributed to the sustainability and authenticity of Isis' business. By allowing herself time for yin activities like connecting with nature and nurturing her personal well-being, she can return to the more demanding, business-oriented tasks with renewed energy and creativity. This balance likely enhances her decision-making, product offerings, and ability to engage authentically with her customers, which in turn fosters long-term success. The regenerative nature of her approach may also attract like-minded customers who value sustainability and personal connection, contributing to the business’s growth.

4. Why do squirrels flip mushrooms over to dry?
Squirrels flip mushrooms over to dry them as a way of preserving them for later consumption, especially during the winter months when food is scarce. By spreading and flipping the mushrooms, they expose them to sunlight and air, speeding up the drying process. This not only prevents the mushrooms from rotting but also makes them lighter and easier to store in their food caches. Dried mushrooms are a nutritious food source that squirrels can rely on when fresh food is unavailable.