July 2010
Managers Report
from Rod Gerdes, General
Manager
I've been making a real effort to try and slow down and enjoy the small things that come my way each day. Life is a journey, and sometimes we focus too much on getting to the end and accumulating what we think we need when maybe all that we really needed was to enjoy what we have. Read the mail, check the e-mails, answer the phone messages, check the markets. Regardless of your age or vocation, that daily schedule can often leave you wondering where the day or week has gone.
I remember reading short articles called "The Lazy Farmer." This guy always had time to enjoy what he was doing at the moment and there was very little that couldn't wait until tomorrow. He understood what life was about. Farmers seem to understand that everything can't be scheduled. You work around the weather and accept that planting and harvesting can't always be done at the optimum times.
One of the causes of our last stock market situation was our focus on immediate rewards and annual gains. You can see this also in our international relationships and policies. We tend to look at short term results when we should likely take a long term approach.
I've learned that schedules can be very flexible, especially when I've worked hard to get my work completed on time, only to find that someone else has decided to take more time on their end. They call that experience.
One of my favorite Bible verses says that "...there is nothing better for a man than to be happy and enjoy himself as long as he can. And second, that he should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of his labors, for these are the gifts from God." Good advice, I think I'll try and take it a little more to heart. Why don't you take a minute today, count your blessings, and just sit down for a short time and relax? It may do you some good in the long run. Take it easy...enjoy life.
