organic

Organic food is making it’s way onto our plates everyday. The industry grows by 20% every year and is expected to increase in food sales from 1-2% this year to anywhere between 10-50% in the near future depending on country.
I like organic food. I think it’s important first and foremost to support local farmers. It’s a gift to the region and to my table to know my food didn’t undergo the pressure of travel, cooling/heating, or major packaging before any sales transaction. It’s also a joy to encourage people in their livelihoods as they provide real sustenance to my life.

But really, it’s hard. Going organic is not for the slight of heart or determination. It takes commitment to neighbors, a few extra dollars for the “same” store-bought product, and humility to admit you are dependent on another person rather than the government or big box store without personality down the street.

Of course, it’s always worth it. My body appreciates the fresh nutrients. The region benefits from healthy harvesting and selling. The neighbors continue to survive and even maybe thrive a little from the locals’ loyalty.

Organic food seems like a lot like a good relationship. It’s real, not processed, sugar-coated, boosted with growth hormones, covered with “protective” pesticide, overly packaged in order to make it easily available to anyone. A good relationship takes intentionality to nurture the seed from the get go and watch it grow with patience. The commitment to the seed of friendship must remain steadfast because bugs will come around, rodents will try to get a sample, the weather will roar it’s ugly head when the plant is most vulnerable. No amount of growth hormones, additives, or pesticides will protect the plant and likewise no gimmick, fake feelings, or coy games can protect one from the realities of being in relationship.

Kids are the most organic. It doesn’t take a shot of steroids to get them to hug people. Kids just naturally hug and love a lot; a watermelon seed naturally sprouts green leaves. Do kids live the organic lifestyle because they are innocent to the harshness of the world? Would peas choose enhanced fertilizer if they knew they might be 3cm smaller than other “chemically enhanced” peas? These are both silly questions: peas can’t talk. And kids just live and react to the love that’s around them, starting out by giving an abundance of joy and love simply due to their organic nature.

Adults can do it, too, live organically in their relationships. Maybe not hug all the time, though, life might be a little more friendly if we tried. But like “going organic,” it’s not easy. We’ve grown out of that innocent stage and can choose to protect and enhance relationships unnaturally. Or we can be honest and genuine with the hope that our relationships bear great fruit. Relationships might hurt (it’s the bugs and rodents), anxiety (that’s from the storms), or even little growth (it’s the natural soil), but in the end, the results and journeys of friendship will be so much richer. The commitment will be worth it. The extra resources of time and energy will be worth it. The humility that draws others nearer will be worth it.