|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
|
Today is National Rural Health Day , established by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) to celebrate the “Power of Rural” and the communities, organizations, and people that work to meet the health needs of folks in rural areas.
I really like the phrase “Power of Rural.” To me it highlights the strength and resilience we see in rural areas, and more specifically for me, in our agricultural communities.
People in agriculture are powerful—strong, self-reliant, hard-working—and what they do is amazing. They take care of all of us by feeding the world. That is something to celebrate.
There is also something else to consider—something not so celebratory. There is a shadowy side to the power and resilience in agriculture that has to do with not wanting to admit any weakness. Sometimes in agriculture strength is seen as never needing help, never needing rest, never needing anyone else. That is dangerous.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve asked a producer “how do farmers cope with stress?” and gotten the reply “We don’t really cope. We just keep on keeping on. Until we can’t anymore.”
If you think about it, that isn’t strong and resilient. Just keeping on is sort of the same as being white-knuckled and hanging on by your finger nails. It isn’t powerful, and it can be exhausting and scary.
So, to celebrate National Rural Health Day, how about we all do a couple of things to build up the power of rural and the strength of agricultural communities?
First, take a break for a bit and get a little rest—even just some quiet time to be still and breathe.
Then think of one person you trust and reach out to them (call, visit, text?) and talk about something that you need help with. Maybe you need help problem-solving, or figuring out how to access hurricane relief resources, or how to talk with your teenager, or you just need someone to listen for a couple of minutes while you vent. Whatever it is, ask for a little help.
Finally, ask how the other person is doing and try to be there for them. Give support as well as get it.
You see, the real power of agricultural communities is in our connection with each other and in caring both for each other and for ourselves. When we do that, we truly can thrive.
