This is Bjørn and he started the northernmost vineyard in the world, 61.1 degrees north, and he is quite possibly the most interesting man in the world.
He had a dream to make wine out of locally grown grapes in the Sognefjord, Norway area so he did it. He ignored the people who said you can’t grow wine in Norway and stayed focus on his desire for his wine from Norway to keep up with the big dog wines of Italy and France.
He and his partner, Halldis, took us on a tour and shared the story of starting the vineyard from nothing including the little “cottage” aka shed they lived in while starting their dream. The amount of daily work they put in made me tired…as I sipped a white wine made of Solaris grapes.
As morbid as it is I kept on thinking, “What happens when Bjørn and Halldis pass away?” as there was no mention of who would take over and they aren’t spring chickens. It made me sad to think of all that hard work going away because what’s the point of a dream if there’s not a lasting legacy.
And then it hit me, maybe I was thinking about it all wrong.
Maybe the bold action of following his dream and starting a vineyard was enough for him.
Maybe he doesn’t care if it’s passed on because this was his dream, not someone else’s.
Maybe he hopes someone will take over but that fact alone didn’t stop him from starting a vineyard.
Maybe the creation is enough.
How often do we put off things we want because they don’t make sense? Or they aren’t rational? Or they are too frivolous?O r no one else will care?
Probably more often than we care to admit.
In a world of achievements and purpose and goals, maybe it’s time we take a break and create for creation sake. Write because you love to write. Sing because you love to sign. Decorate because you love to decorate. Try a new hobby because you want to try a new hobby. That longing in your heart may not be something that lasts a life time and that is AOK. Do it for you.
What is that for you?
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