I recently had the most incredible experience at a place called Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley. I’ve been on a mission to do 55 new things throughout the year and a farm-to-table dinner was one of the things on my list. When I saw the post about the one happening at Farm in the Dell, I signed up right away. Little did I know I was signing up for much more than a farm-to-table dinner experience.

When I arrived, I saw a farm filled with warm faces and amazing fields of vegetables and flowers. Next, I met Anna who is the definition of JOY in a person. I would bet she is me X 10 on the JOY scale. Then I started meeting others who work or volunteer at the farm and I seriously had tears. This place moved me at levels I didn’t even know existed. It also turns out that some of my Red River Valley friends were at the dinner, so of course there were lots of hugs going around.

As we sat down for a meal inside the barn, course after course was served to us by the Heart-n-Soul Community Café. I would put the full menu here, but I don’t want to tease your palate too much—let’s just say the Cucumber Beef Labneh and Cucumber Gazpacho were beyond incredible. Let’s also mention the Duchessa Gelato for dessert, whose creators and owners also happened to be one of the guest speakers.

Then we had the opportunity to learn more about their mission to transform disabilities into abilities through purposeful work and life experiences in a community farm setting. Tissue, please. One of the workers talked about why this experience matters to her and how it gives her purpose. Friends, I was so moved by this experience. I was inspired. I felt complete on a whole new level.

As I reflected on the drive home, the word COMPLETE kept coming to my mind and I got curious about it. What about this experience made me feel so complete and how could I bring this to a larger picture to share? And then, it came to me.

C-Connection. The workers at the farm are connected to each other and to the Earth. We were all connected at this experience.
O-Opportunities. Everyone has an opportunity at Farm in the Dell. Whether a person is a regular worker or volunteers to come out and weed or pick or even purchase veggies/flowers, there is an opportunity to be a part of this.
M-Mattering. This work matters. There is impact.
P-Passion. Everyone who was a part of this experience has a passion for what they are doing. That passion is contagious and fuels the desire to get up every day and make a difference.
L-Light. There is a light that shines brightly when people are living their passions and creating experiences for themselves and others. It shines from within and becomes a beacon for all. The light reflects everywhere in this place of complete.
E-Experience. Being at Farm in the Dell was an experience. It wasn’t just a thing. It was a full body experience—emotional, physical and spiritual.
T-Time. When someone is passionate about something, they are willing to commit time to it. Intentional time. Intentional “being” with the experience. For me, I couldn’t believe I had been at this experience for 2.5 hours. I also had the drive time to and from and it was well worth every minute. We commit time to what matters.
E-Everyone Belongs. Anyone who wants to be a part of this experience can be. No judgment. This is where strengths are seen and developed.

Friends, I invite you to reflect on your own life. I came up with three questions I’ve been asking myself:

• What are the experiences that make you feel complete?
• What are the ways you could create more of these in your life?
• What does living a “complete” life look like to you?

I must admit that as I move into my last half of life, I am more aware than ever of the impact and legacy I want to create in the world. This feeling of being complete is an indicator to me of when I’m on the right track. How is being complete a part of your journey?