“What if I”… A New Year
1/3/2012 -by Charles Frerich
A new year is a time of new beginnings, reflections on what happened the previous year and of course the New Year’s resolutions. I was listening to a speaker the other day and he made a comment that really struck me as a thought provoker. He said three words, “What if I”. If you think about these words your mind should go in one of two directions, What if I had and what if I do. “Had” referring to if I would have done something and “do”, referring to if I will do something.

I look back on my year and there are lots of “What if I” moments come to mind. What if I had said “I love you” a few more times. What if I had spent a little more time in prayer? What if I had stopped to help that person? What if I had taken more time to practice my music? What if I picked up after myself more? Would it have made a difference? Could I have made someone else’s life better? I may not have solved all the world’s problems but it has to start with you and me.

So many “what if” moments occur and our decision to react or not, is a path that is an individual decision. This last year of drought makes me wonder, what if I had kept that rain from running out of my field would I have had the extra moisture to yield a few more pounds. What if I had preserved some of the crop litter to protect the soil would I have shielded the soil from the sun’s rays and harsh winds. What if I had sold the stock sooner and left some grass on the pasture to slow runoff and hold the soil when it does rain. What if I had killed those mesquite trees when they were small and not let them get ten feet tall?

So this next year what if I made a conscious effort to notice things that I can do to make someone smile or feel better? What if I took the time to make myself better? What if I did get involved in my community or church and make a difference? What if I contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service and ask for assistance.

This year, 2012, will be an interesting year with elections coming and the critical state of the economy. We can only hope and pray that the drought will end and we can get some runoff to fill our lakes. So in closing I want to wish you a happy and prosperous new year and a year filled with, will I do, and less of the, what if I had. See you next time “On the Level”. For more information you can contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service or contact me at charles.frerich@tx.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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