What do a forage producer and a hot-air balloon pilot have in common? At first glance, it’s much easier to see their differences.
One spends hours plowing the ground, the other does their best to avoid it. One prides themselves on the luxury of an airtight cab, the other prefers an open-air driver seat. Zero-turn steering versus zero turns possible. Machinery comes in solid colors (of preference obviously) versus blends of fabric with mosaic patterns to outshine another.
These high-flying thoughts were inspired by a visit to the International Balloon Fiesta my family and I took in early October. With over 600 hot-air balloons scattered throughout the early morning sky at the base of the Sandia Mountains, it’s a sight that is unmatched by anything else I’ve ever seen.
A favorite memory of the day was one of the pilots taking the time to let my son touch the balloon and speak to us about the history of the balloon while it inflated. The hands-on experience was authentic and rare in our world today but reminded me of the way an experienced producer would give a kid a ride on a tractor, taking time to explain the process and the more interesting facts about the balloon.
We stood right next to the pilot and the crew while the team readied for flight and eventually took off. The cheering from the crowd while the balloon took flight made me realize how similar these balloonists could be to the modern farmer.
While so many things have changed in both farming and ballooning, the pride felt after your hard work pays off is worth the toil. The reward of the view from the sky or from the driveway as your harvest pulls out is filled with a soul-warming feeling of gratitude. The experience of working hard in something you enjoy and seeing it to completion is surreal.
At the same time, looking straight up and seeing a balloon high enough in the air that no features can be made out is incredibly nerve-racking. The pilots are flying high with only one instrument at their disposal to control their vessel. So much of their flight is dependent on the weather and other factors completely outside of their control (sound familiar?).
Whether the goal is to go up in a balloon or forward on a tractor, I admire the tenacity it requires to take risks without having total control. Taking on that kind of risk also allows you to reap unique and priceless rewards.
This Thanksgiving season, savor the rewards from your hard work and the ability to pursue something you are passionate about. Gather around with family and friends and embrace the risks that reap rewards, and regardless of what type of risk you take, try not to be too full of hot air.
