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On May 14, 2018

We live among a society which is unprecedented in its demands for that which is quick, easy and sure to garner peer approval. In contemplation of stories in scripture, one is soon impressed with the reality that strong character is never developed in the mold of the quick and easy. Rather, faith-evident character is only formed when the molten residue of self-sacrifice is poured from the crucible of trial and testing into the mold of perseverance. When seeking personal inspiration to face the daunting opportunities of life, look to God’s written Word, the Bible. There we find many inspiring examples of His faithfulness and provision. Read, pray and THINK about that!

 

CULTIVATING INSPIRATION
Adapted from Suzanne Pish
Michigan State University Extension

HARRISBURG, Pa. — An unknown author once said, “Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds.” There are many factors in agriculture that farmers have no control over. Beyond the uncertainty of the weather, destructive crises such as disease outbreaks and short-term incidents such as machinery breaking down or accidents can and do occur.

One powerful factor that we always have the opportunity to control, however, is our mindset. Farmers and those within the agricultural industry tend to be eternal optimists, but with all of the variability in agriculture there are times when we can become overwhelmed and stressed more than normal. Having the right mindset can help increase productivity and resiliency, so we are better prepared when times are tough, and more able to manage our farms and take care of our families and ourselves.

Finding sources of inspiration is important to keep positive, stay focused on your vision, and not let the uncontrollable get you down. Michigan State University Extension offers these sources of inspiration.

Control Your Breathing

When faced with a challenge, first use your breath. Deep breathing calms the mind and can help you focus. It also can reduce chronic pain and improve sleep. Here are two exercises you can try.

• Try breathing deeply five times, releasing the air slowly. Combine deep breathing with self-talk to boost productivity and stay on task.

• Breathing exercises have been documented to decrease the body’s “fight-or-flight” (stress) response, and help with mood stabilization, anger control and anxiety management.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment—and accepting it without judgment. Mindfulness is now being examined scientifically and has been found to be a key element in stress reduction and overall happiness. The body hears what the mind thinks. So choose your thoughts with purpose. Tell yourself that you can overcome any challenge. You can adapt. You have come through rough times before. You can do it again. You can’t always avoid difficult situations, but you can choose the thoughts you have when you experience them. Try choosing three words to tell yourself to help maintain the mindset you want – like calm, capable and controlled.

Look to Others

You can find inspiration by talking to others, reading quotes and articles written by others, or listening to a motivational sermon or speech. It doesn’t matter if the inspiration comes from your loved ones, colleagues or your pastor, that inspiration can be a reminder of what you believe within yourself. Sometimes, when you are so immersed in your day-to-day responsibilities, you lose sight of your vision and your inspiration. Talking to others or reading inspirational texts can help you get back to what is true within yourself.

Several free online tools exist that can offer daily inspiration. A couple of them include:

• ENLIVEN Daily Motivation Quotes App, free to download and offering daily motivational quotes that are available whenever you want them.

• A Mindfulness Video available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEfs5TJZ6Nk

• A “StopBreatheandThink” App, which is a useful app to help you stop, breathe and think every day, practicing emotional wellness available at www.stopbreathethink.org.

 

AN EVENING OF ENCOURAGEMENT

LITITZ, Pa. — One of the best ways to get inspiration is by sharing and talking with others. Last Sunday evening, nearly 200 people got that opportunity during a Farmer Appreciation Dinner in Lititz hosted and sponsored by Fred Wiegand, a builder who grew up in Lancaster County and who has a deep love and respect for the farming community. About 80 percent of the group was farmers, while the remaining included industry supporters and some non-farm neighbors who wanted to show their support for the ag industry.

This year was the third year for the event, which Wiegand started upon a calling he felt from God to honor the farmers he felt inspired him. “Farmers are the foundation of our nation, economically, (delete foundationally,) and spiritually,” Wiegand said. “If you look back on the history of our nation, many of our forefathers were farmers.

“Farmers today still possess those core values that built our nation – they are God-centered, family-focused and self-reliant. Farmers are the backbone of our nation, and food isn’t something we can take for granted. The evening was intended to honor them, offer encouragement, and help them build connections.”

This year’s farmer appreciation night had a special focus on the dairy community and the dairy farm families that had recently experienced a market loss. “We wanted to offer them encouragement and allow them to see each other in a way that reaffirms how important it is to work together and build connections with each other,” Wiegand said.

Three of the speakers during the event quoted a verse out of the Bible without knowing it was going to be used by others. That verse was Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” That verse helped to set the tone for the evening’s discussion.

Tom Krall, a dairy producer from Lebanon, Pa., was one of the evening’s speakers and was amazed by the show of support for the dairy community. “It was a really nice evening with friends, some of which I haven’t seen for years,” Tom said, adding that, “We could talk through things and encourage each other.” A highlight of the evening for Krall was when Glenn Eshelman, who founded the well-known Sight & Sound Theatre, offered a slide show of barns and farms in the area. “Glenn grew up milking cows, and what I took away from his presentation is all of the skills you learn as a child growing up on the farm and how those skills can benefit you throughout life,” Krall said. Others added that watching the presentation was a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Dairy farmers are still a great part of His plan.

“Farmers do things differently. They have a vision and a mindset to get things done. That’s something you learn while growing up on the farm that could serve you well no matter what career path you choose. For Glenn, it was his vision for Sight & Sound. We as farmers need to remember that and realize that, even if we have to leave the industry, those skills are something we carry with us.”

For Wiegand, what was most inspiring about the night was how everyone who spoke offered an element of encouragement in their message. “To be in that atmosphere of encouragement and vision was inspiring, not only for the farmers in the room but to all of us who  are so thankful for what they provide to our nation.”