The Rural Voice, 2019-04, Page 29God-given purpose to share his story,
succeed at his business and pursue
new avenues of ministry.
He speaks at agricultural events
about his experience and relishes the
energy. “I haven’t felt like this since
I was 25,” he says. In November, he
climbed the CN Tower, raising
$3,000 for charity by reaching his
goal of accomplishing the feat in less
than 20 minutes. “I started sucking
wind with 30 floors left and I told
God that if He got me to the top
without stopping, I would do
whatever He wanted,” recalls Steve.
“When I reached the top, the time
was 19:59.”
When asked for advice on
how his fellow
professionals can see the
warning signs of mental illness and
how they can prevent it, Steve says
it’s important to note that everyone’s
mental health journey is truly a
unique experience. What he has
learned from his own situation is that
if you don’t feel supported in a work
relationship, you need to develop a
strategy to deal with stress or leave
the job.
In terms of managing stress, Steve
says there is a physical, emotional
and spiritual component. Always fit
and a healthy eater, now Steve and
his wife walk each morning to feel
the sun and energize the body. He
also practises yoga and stretches
daily. Emotionally, he shares his
story and invites others to share
theirs. Spiritually, he spends more
time in prayer and meets with a
spiritual advisor once a month.
He is also intentional about
keeping evenings sacred as time to
rest and rejuvenate. He consciously
works only 40 hours per week.
Steve encourages farmers to make
sure they take breaks and consider
collaboration. “There is so much
information to process and so many
decisions to make, they need
somebody to help them,” he says.
Finally, make yourself and your
home a “safe” place for others, says
Steve. “Invite your neighbours for
coffee and create that sense of
community.”
There is hope for the many who
suffer, says Steve. He wants to be a
voice for that hope. ◊
Automobile, Residential, Farm & Commercial Properties
507 Main St. S., Exeter
519-235-0350
www.usborneandhibbert.ca
Marvin L. Smith
B.Sc.F. (Forestry), R.P.F.
Farm Woodland Specialist
570 Riverview Dr.
Listowel, Ontario N4W 3T7
Telephone: (519) 291-2236
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