Escape to the Farm?

(Q)

I am seriously considering selling everything and moving to TN to start a farm. Most everyone thinks that is crazy, except my wife of course. When you left everything to have a life on the road how hard was it for you to just walk away and start something completely new and unknown? Would you have any advice for someone who is wanting to do the same kind of thing. I have always looked up to you and was very envious of you for living your dream for real and not letting it just sit on a shelf.

(A)

I like the way your thinking. But would like more details. Keep in mind when we hit the road there was just the 2 of us (no kids) and for a year, we were on the road. Not just one move to a new place. We listened to friend’s ideas prayed & felt good about what we were doing. The adventure you remember was in fact our second, the first was moving to San Diego. I think that was a lot more stressful than hitting the road. We went from a owning a 10 room house with income apartment in Thunder Bay down to 2 suitcases 4 small airline boxes. With no job & and $14K in our pocket started again.


But a farm is always a good place for children to learn life lessons. Don’t be deceived that the drug & moral issues go away they don't. They might even be greater in a small town/country. Ultimately it’s how you run your house that will give the children best chance.

What is there for work? What is there for the church, seminary, temple, etc. You need to be able to make a living not counting on the farm for anything (to be a little safer). The farm can be a money pit, maintenance, equipment, & just your own learning curve can take time & cash.

There is always risk and reward in these endeavors. Your attitudes will determine your reward. The greatest advice I could give is that you, your wife, and the Lord must be unified in this decision. Oh, there is no right or wrong, as long as the thee of you agree.

Please keep me posted and more details please.

David

Being Assertive

• “To vindicate or defend by argument or measures; to declare strongly; to lay claim to; to insist upon; to affirm; to bear evidence of.”

• “To state or express positively; to defend or maintain (one's rights, for example).”

Game theory

A Win-win; you and the other person both get what you want.

The Assertiveness Pocketbook

Enjoying your rights, expressing your feelings, asking for what you want, stating your views - with integrity, honesty, directness, respect for others.

There are many different views on what assertiveness is. But what matters for this course is the definition that is relevant to you and your circumstances.

Questions

Print this page and complete the follow questions in order (the same question is deliberately repeated as this is an iterative process):



1. What do you want to be able to do after this workshop that you could not do before?



2. What would the above behavior (your answer to question 1) give you that you that you didn't have before?



3. And what would that (your answer to question 2) give you that you didn't have before?



4. And what would that (your answer to question 3) give you that you didn't have before?



5. And what would that (your answer to question 4) give you that you didn't have before?



6. This next question is a bit harder, and you will probably need to keep thinking about it long after you have completed this course: what is the best way for you to get the above (ie your answer to question 5).



7. Finally, why is it so difficult to say "No"

Five Minutes to Emotional Wellness

Emotional Wellness doesn’t have to involve sitting in a therapist’s chair for an hour a week. There are some simple things you can do to support your Emotional Wellness in just five minutes a day:


 Journal. Even if you only have five minutes, you can journal. Simply write some quick notes about how you’re feeling and what is going on in your life. It may not seem like much, but you can use these notes later for insight and greater personal awareness.

 Read an article, listen to a podcast, or watch a video. Look for short articles, podcasts or videos on various Emotional Wellness topics such as anger management techniques, anxiety reduction, defeating depression, or overcoming fear. This information will come in handy when you least expect it, and learning more about Emotional Wellness is the first step toward greater emotional health.

 Tell a friend. If you’re having a bad day, call a friend and quickly let them know what’s going on. Sometimes simply getting the feelings out in a safe place can alleviate some of the tension. A quick conversation with a friend invariably lifts your spirits and lets you know you’re not alone.

Time Management

 Weaknesses in organisational skills and allocating priorities.
If you have difficulty getting everything done or constantly feel under pressure or on the go, you may find the following simple ideas of assistance:

Keep a diary to plan your daily activities

Set aside space in your diary for you to catch up on routine tasks which might not other get done but which you know should be done at some point

Keep some time free to relax and do leisure activities you enjoy

Make a list of the tasks you have to do, decide what their relative priority is and concentrate on getting the most important tasks done

Set aside different parts of your day or your week for specific tasks

If helpful, allocate a specific amount of time for a particular task and keep to that

Congratulate yourself or give yourself rewards if you achieve tasks that you have set yourself

If you are struggling to carry out all the tasks you feel you are supposed to do then let someone know who might be able to advise or help you, explain the difficulties and ask for their suggestions or help.