Wow! Since March of 2020 I have had my head down and posed to charge forward just like a bull might position itself when a red flag is being waved. For me, this red flag was more than just COVID-19. It was a barn fire, it was loss of dreams while new dreams were created, it was opportunity, it was need presented by both the world at large and the farmers we serve.
As I charged forward, I often failed to look around at the many opportunities and joys in life. I know I am not alone in this as I have recently talked to several farmers and meat processors that are approaching burn out. While I wish I could say I stopped charging miles before I hit the brick wall that was masked by the red flag I had my eye on, I can’t. I can tell you that I have since put the brakes on and those brakes made me hit the wall and see a few bricks tumble but allowed me to stand up and be resilient once again.
I have come back to my readership with renewed outlook on what and why we do what we do. First and foremost I have reminded myself that I am here to serve God in all that I do. If I am pushing too hard, I am not leaving space to see him work things out for his good. In business, I am here to serve farmer. If I am not taking time to listen to our farmers, then I am not fulfilling this mission. If I am not recognizing our team members that work everyday to take care of the needs of our livestock farmers, then I am failing. And if I am not taking the time to celebrate all of our customers and the support they give both to our team members and our farmers, then I am operating without the appreciation and joy in life that we are called to live. It is with this appreciation that I step back to give updates on what is happening for us at This Old Farm once again.