I have to admit, I was struck with severe Writer's Block on this contest for several days. For some reason, I was drawing a blank on all fronts. I'm happy to say that after taking @farmstead's advice and "not thinking about it" for a day, I'm here with my answer and entry into @pennsif's Homestead Happiness contest!
My Homestead Happiness Stems from Two Sources
Tangible Works
My 9-5 job (more like 7-6, with the commute) is in the Healthcare Information Technology industry. My time is spent at a desk in a windowless room with low lighting, surrounded by digital displays, and 99% of my work is otherwise invisible unless viewed from a computer screen. While I enjoy my work, there's something about it that is slightly unfulfilling. After 7 years in the industry, I think it comes down to the work being intangible. After a long day of working, I (literally) have nothing to show for it... not to anyone who is outside of the IT field at least.
This is where homesteading comes into play. Most everything related to homesteading is tangible; you have to put your hands on it to complete it. Whether good or bad, finished or still in-progress, at the end of the day you can stand back and physically see, touch, or smell your work!
This speaks to our souls--the inner fabric of humanity--and is why so many who dabble with one of the spokes of the Wheel of Homesteading, will likely come back for more and seek to learn more. Doing such things makes me extremely happy. I enjoy the projects, tasks and outcomes from such activities. Not that you couldn't tell from the many DIY posts I've written! At any rate, I count this at a big source of my happiness on the homestead.
Passing Knowledge
As anyone who has followed our blog for any length of time knows; we have two boys. While we were well on our way towards homesteading before having children, becoming parents fiercely galvanized us into the lifestyle.
I previously wrote about living in an old single wide mobile home by choice and covered the "why" behind that transition if you want to check it out. Living this lifestyle--connected with the natural world and being stewards of the land and animals around us--is not only rewarding, but immensely powerful as a tool for the proper raising of our boys for becoming strong men in this world.
Very little brings me happiness in such a way as seeing my boys learn something from living on our homestead.
