Dirt is a good thing especially at harvest time
September is a wonderful month full of promise of the future
and a reaffirmation of the risk taken in Spring by farmers and growers of
fruits and vegetables. There is a telling sign close to our cottage in Prince
Edward County
that says; "If you ate today, thank a farmer."
When I am at the grocery store I
often feel far away from the actual growing process regardless of how many
pictures of smiling farmers I see or attractive displays surround me. This summer we sought out
alternative ways of purchasing our fresh foods. With a healthier mandate for
eating more salads and vegetables we patronized the road side stands of the
County. Specifically we like to shop at Laundry's outside of Picton. Watching
the corn, carrots, tomatoes and apples coming right from the fields feeds your
soul as well as your stomach. We don't stock up except when we are heading back
to the city; preferring to go every day or so to get the freshest product
possible. Who knew lettuce lasts 5 days!
Back in the city, I try to shop at the smaller stores for
vegetables eschewing the big chains except when convenience is paramount. I
don't have any thing against them, its just not the experience I want.
I occasionally go to the
extreme and shop at Costco. I don't think it is convenient to shop
there - anyone lining up at PM at
night will surely agree. It is an experience that is polar opposite to the road
side stand. I am not buying a 10 pound bag of French fries or a giant vat of
ball park mustard. But for all you small business people their Xerox copy paper
beats anyone's price and quality.
Costco and road-side stands offer their patrons unique communities. A sense of community is present in both.
Costco regulars, many small business, variety store or restaurants owners
congregate at the snack counter with their shopping carts full of goods to grab
a quick lunch or a coffee before heading out to their vehicles. Roadside
stand patrons are a mix of "locals" and tourists where the conversation centres
around the quality of the corn and its freshness and the effect of the weather.
Shopping is an example of choice being a good thing. Not
every store can offer every type of experience we desire. The farmer's market
will never do the volume of a small grocery store but it plays an important
role in satisfying our curiosity for new and unique experiences. I like to
think that the big stores have learned a lot from the road-side stand. If the
competition were not present would there be such an emphasis on supermarkets
tying to emulate the look and feel of the farmer's market? The rustic looking
displays, focus lighting and well polished apples present a "faux experience"
or "mock market" approach that can almost serve as a substitute if you don't
look too closely. The seductive use of colour and mood in today's supermarket
serves to entice us in with the promise of quality, choice and convenience.
The
farmer's stand offers us quality and something else.... Authenticity. The
authentic experience is the added dimension that draws us in seeing real over
fake and fresh over fresh frozen. I will take my carrots from the County over
any bag of the peeled and washed variety you can find everywhere and there is
no charge for the dirt.
Authenticity is being the "author" of your
own self, creating the future that is meaningful, fulfilling and inspiring to
you as a giving and contributing person. As an authentic leader you know who
you are, you speak clearly about what you believe and you act in a direct and
compassionate way.
Authentic leadership involves conscious leadership,
taking positive action based on the essence and strength of the person or
situation. Authentic leaders carry the
trait of being true to themselves by demonstrating their competence and
confidence in their role. Authentic leaders attract followers because of who
they are and not what they represent.
As conscious leaders we use all of our
strengths to be present in each moment. We use our minds, our hearts, our
bodies (taking action), our instincts and our spirit. We are a role model
of leadership; influencing others to deepen meaningful relationships by
encouraging, motivating and coaching and by inspiring others to take collective
action.
All of us are leaders in every part
of our life, by choosing to be who we truly are and believing that we can make
a positive difference, in our own lives and the lives of others. As authentic
leaders we are grateful for the gifts of others and the gifts in our lives. We
live each day in peace knowing that we have contributed all of our magnificence
and light.
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