Purpose, Perseverance & the Power of Simplicity

I recently took a soul journey with my soul sister to a Dairy Farm. Nestled in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of New York State, Amber Waves Farm offers more than just an escape to the country—it’s a place where hard work, family tradition, and heartfelt purpose come together to create a way of life that many only dream about. Matthew, alongside his "retired" parents, has turned Amber Waves into a thriving dairy farm with a bed and breakfast. Here, the work is long, and the commitment runs deep, but the rewards go beyond the obvious.

Matthew, who now works 12- 15-hour days tending to the cows, making hay, and managing the paddocks, left a career in real estate development to pursue a life that resonates with his values. Watching him on the farm, you can sense the fulfillment that his work brings—something that, despite the demands, seems to fuel him with purpose and joy. His parents, play a vital role too. Matthew’s mother oversees the bed and breakfast attached to the farm, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for guests who come seeking a taste of authentic, rural life. His father, who previously served as the County Executive of Putnam County for 20 years and as an elected official for a total of 30 years, is integral to the farm’s daily operations as well. Responsible for making hay, assisting Matthew with birthing calves, and problem-solving around the farm, he brings decades of experience and a steadfast presence to the operation.

From Real Estate to Raw Land: A Return to Basics

Matthew’s shift from real estate to farming may seem unusual, but his choice speaks to a quiet, powerful desire to find meaning beyond numbers and developments. Here, on Amber Waves Farm, every action has a tangible impact. Unlike the abstract and often transactional world of real estate, farming offers a rooted, direct connection to the land, the animals, and the food they produce. Each gallon of organic, grass-fed milk produced is a testament to Matthew’s values and the mindful way he approaches his work.

For Matthew, farming isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. He approaches his work with Clarity, Confidence, and Certainty, a mindset that anchors him in his purpose. Clarity in why he is doing this guides him as he cares for the cows and the land, ensuring that every decision aligns with his values. Confidence shines through his dedication, visible in his tireless 15-hour days and his commitment to producing quality, organic milk without taking any shortcuts. Certainty is the result of this clarity and confidence and grounds him, giving him the resilience to handle the daily challenges of farming, knowing that he’s exactly where he needs to be.

The Labor of Love:  12-15-Hour Days and Lifelong Fulfillment

Farming is not for the faint of heart. The long, labor-intensive days begin before sunrise and stretch far into the evening. There is milking to be done, hay to be gathered, fences to mend, stalls to muck, and barns to clean. Yet, despite the demands, Matthew’s passion for the farm shines through. His 15-hour days are spent tirelessly working to make his dream of sustainable, high-quality dairy farming a reality.

Matthew’s parents, despite being “retired,” are deeply involved. His mother runs the farm’s bed and breakfast, where she shares the family’s values of authenticity and simplicity with guests. Here, people can experience a slower pace of life, far from the demands and distractions of the world. His father, once the County Executive of Putnam County, now dedicates his days to working with the Mennonite neighbors, making hay, helping Matthew birth calves, and handling the day-to-day problem-solving that farming demands, fortifying the lifetime commitment to serving others—now through the land rather than through office. Marylou also known as Mom is in charge of guests as well as preparing breakfast, plus a hearty mid-day meal for all. Plus tending to the house and gardens.

A Shift from Profit to Purpose

In a world that often equates success only with profit, Matthew’s journey offers a different perspective. Leaving real estate behind for farming represents a deliberate choice to prioritize fulfillment over only financial metrics. For Matthew, success is measured in more meaningful terms: the health of his cows, the quality of the milk, and the satisfaction that comes from a day’s honest work. True Soulful Prosperity.

The Bondi’s farm operates with a focus on organic, grass-fed practices. The milk Matthew produces is an expression of his values. He understands that quality comes from respect for both the land and the animals, a philosophy that resonates in every aspect of the farm’s operations and with a mission to bring wholesome, thoughtfully produced dairy to those who seek it.

Simplicity, Sustainability, and the Freedom of Living Aligned with Purpose

Amber Waves Farm isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the quiet fulfillment that comes from living simply and sustainably. Every day is a choice to nurture rather than extract, to sustain rather than consume. The work may be hard, but it’s work with a purpose, a sense of alignment that many people, even in high-paying careers, struggle to find.

Watching Matthew interact with the land and the animals, one sees the essence of soulful prosperity—finding abundance and joy in alignment with one’s values. This is the prosperity that comes not from wealth, but from living true to oneself, from knowing that each day contributes to something greater than individual gain.

A Story of Legacy 

Amber Waves Farm embodies a vision of life that goes beyond profits or traditional measures. It’s a story about legacy, about handing down values from one generation to the next. It’s about hard work, but also about hard-won joy—the kind that comes from seeing a dream take root and grow, just as the crops do.

Matthew’s journey is a reminder that success can take many forms. In choosing the farm over real estate, he chose a path that may not be easy, but it’s rich with meaning and fulfillment. It’s a path that reconnects him with the land, with his family, and with a vision of life that’s deeply grounded in purpose.

As he continues to work toward his vision, Matthew’s commitment to the farm and to his values offers a powerful message for anyone striving to build a meaningful life and business. Amber Waves Farm is a testament to what can be achieved when we follow our calling, cultivate our values, and embrace the life we’re meant to lead.

With love, light, and prosperity, 

Jennifer Maher

Soulful Prosperity Coach

https://linktr.ee/jennmaher