The concept of acronyms often leaves people puzzled, and perhaps you're one of them.

What exactly constitutes an acronym?

Hello, dear readers!

Don't worry; this isn't a grammar lesson, but it's essential we share a common understanding.

Stick with me; this will be a lengthy but personal narrative.

So, what is an acronym?

An acronym is a word created from the initial letters of a series of words, pronounced as a single word.

Several examples likely come to mind:

• NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• CIA — Central Intelligence Agency
• DIY — Do It Yourself
• ASAP — As Soon As Possible
• LOL — Laugh Out Loud

Interestingly, the brand "ADIDAS" is often incorrectly believed to be an acronym for phrases such as "All Day I Dream About Sports." However, it actually originates from the name of its founder, Adolf "Adi" Dassler, combining "Adi" from his nickname and "Das" from his surname, making it a portmanteau instead.

Now, let’s get back to the topic at hand.

Why is this relevant, you may wonder? Well, I have two great passions:

I love languages.

I use four languages daily, and while my proficiency isn't perfect, I also understand two additional languages well enough to communicate.

Growing up in Switzerland, where four languages are official, it's typical to learn at least 2-3 of them. Yes, English happens to be my third language.

What about my second passion?

In 2007, my wife and I purchased a rundown property in Transylvania. We renovated it and transformed it into a home for us and our guests.

We cultivated the wild land into a flourishing garden and food forest, creating a modern homestead.

Our backyard's small segment. Image by the author.

We share our home with dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and sheep—a vibrant mix of responsibilities and a passion we can't live without.

Self-sufficiency has become our lifestyle.

The night that altered everything was suffocatingly hot. Even late at night, the air felt like it was suffocating us.

There was no indication of an impending rainstorm.

It was a typical August evening in Transylvania in 2018, on the eighth day of the month.

Little did anyone know, this day would forever be etched in my memory.

I woke up drenched in perspiration. A glass of water provided momentary relief.

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp pain struck my chest.

I can't quite explain how I instantly recognized it:

A heart attack.

My wife rushed me to the hospital at breakneck speed.

And that night, she saved my life.

Nothing remained the same afterward.

I had never considered what life would entail following such a traumatic event. Why would I?

Heart attacks only happen to older, overweight individuals. Not to someone like me. (I couldn’t have been more mistaken.)

At just fifty, I believed myself to be fit, or so I thought...

The recovery period was extensive.

It felt like a cinematic portrayal.

But it was much more serious.

Now was the time to reevaluate life.

Patience was never my strong suit, but I was compelled to learn it.

Once my post-operative weakness subsided, I began light exercise and made mindful dietary changes—not drastic, but intentional.

I also embarked on a quest for answers. None of my doctors seemed interested in uncovering the underlying cause.

Questions plagued my nights.

Why me? Why now? Why so soon?

I’ve always enjoyed writing, and now I found myself with ample time.

Perhaps too much time.

I began creating lists reflecting on my life.

What truly mattered to me, and why?

My wife shielded me from stress and physical exertion.

Without her, I wouldn't have had the strength to delve so deeply into my life.

What’s significant in a person's life? What fuels your drive to persist?

My notebooks filled with key terms.

The significance of words like "health" was evident given my situation.

Words like "success" and "relationships" occupied my thoughts, demanding more precise definitions and some entirely new interpretations.

The Seven Essential Words

After countless hours of introspection and list-making, I recognized the importance of seven words in my life. They represented what mattered most to me and what I aspired to improve.

What I could influence.

These words illuminated my path forward.

Almost a year had passed, and I had shed 25 kilograms (55 lbs), feeling healthier than ever.

What if I could leverage my experience to support others?

Would anyone be interested in my assistance?

Remember the word game Scrabble?

The words on my list were:

• Health
• Sustainability
• Relationships
• Money
• Authenticity
• Freedom
• Inspiration

I enjoy languages and word games.

So, I pulled out my Scrabble game and began creating combinations from these words and letters.

At first, nothing made sense. I almost gave up. Perhaps the notion of helping others was foolish? Or only meant for psychologists, academics, or other self-development experts?

But not for me?

One last attempt.

The Emergence of My Mindset

The answer to my inquiry lay before me. For many of the words, I already had natural analogies in mind.

The word that would henceforth define my life and work was:

F reedom A uthenticity R elationships M oney I nspiration H ealth

FARMISH

The ultimate representation of my lifestyle and the essentials of life.

All aspects of life interconnect.

Similar to nature, where trees depend on soil microbes, and birds rely on trees for shelter.

These seven words embody the facets of contemporary human existence. They determine your level of care, sources of joy, and motivations.

They are the facets you can influence.

You can enhance them.

And that’s precisely what I did to regain my footing swiftly.

It requires effort, but it is achievable.

How the FARMISH Mindset Can Benefit You

You only come to appreciate your health after it’s compromised, which is a harsh reality. Yet, it’s also the aspect that can be improved the most rapidly.

That’s why the first lesson for my coaching clients is the significance of nutrition and physical activity.

And how to utilize these to take control of your body.

Immediate enhancements in well-being and sleep are the logical results.

Next, you learn to navigate your environment more effectively and calmly.

Depending on the urgency, we tackle the segments collaboratively.

Not sequentially.

But in a manner that benefits you the most.

Don’t Rush to Buy a Farm!

My goal isn't for you to construct a farm, even if the acronym suggests otherwise.

More crucial than WHERE you reside is the inquiry of HOW and WHY.

Finding meaning in life is one thing.

Living a life rich in health and happiness is another.

If creating a homestead enhances your happiness, then that’s the right path for you.

Meet our mouse hunter, Benny. Image by the author.

You can also adhere to the principles of nature while residing in an urban apartment.

Not every segment holds equal importance for everyone.

However, all segments are vital for a joyful and long life.

FARMISH is your route to a happy, fulfilling future.

The FARMISH mindset serves as the thread weaving through your life, aligned with nature.

So our planet can exhale in relief.

This is how I utilized an acronym to reevaluate and enhance my life, my business, and my entire existence.

The Lesson:

I much prefer acronyms like FARMISH over ER or ICU.

Isn’t that fascinating?

LOL

Thank you for taking the time to read!

Did you know others find this post more accessible when you show it some appreciation? It truly brightens my day. Thanks!

Wishing you a fantastic day ahead.

See you soon.

Yours,

Daniel

Whenever you’re ready, I can assist you in four ways:

• Subscribe to The FARMISH Mindset: Join my growing community of individuals who seek more from life than mundane overtime and senseless narratives. Twice a week, I share insights on relevant topics for a fulfilling and meaningful life.
• The Sea Turtle 1:1 Workshop: If you’re curious about the concept of "finding your purpose" that everyone discusses, this workshop is perfect for you. Understanding your WHY is fundamental to your well-being, and I’ll help you uncover it and show you how to leverage your purpose.
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