I
love this job because of people and the growth I get to experience! Family and Consumer Science Agents met in mid-February to stretch our thinking. Did it ever challenge and inspire me with the simple question of ‘WHY’!
The Golden Circle: What, How, and Why
It is easy to answer ‘What I do’ and ‘How I do it’. However, we should really start with the more difficult question of ‘Why I do what I do’. I have been working on this personally and in our Culture of Health facilitation. Many family and community factors go into how healthy we are. My ‘why’ becomes, despite those factors, I want everyone in Southeast Kansas to have the best life possible, no matter who they are.
SHIFT Labette County (Shaping Health, Improving Fitness Together), held their monthly meeting and voiced what each thought the greatest thing about living in Labette County was. Their ‘Why’ to living in Labette County was a great list! Next, the group decided which of the three identified priorities they wanted to target first, choosing to Increase Access to Healthy Foods. Then the hard part came when we delved into the following questions:
-Why was access to healthy foods an issue?
-Why would some solutions not work in all Labette County communities?
-Why focus on ‘this’ solution and not ‘that’ solution?
It was a time of challenging questions and wonderfully strategic thought. SHIFT ultimately formed the beginning of an action plan to increase access to healthy food for its community, all by asking ‘why’. I will continue to develop my own ‘why’, striving for a leadership style to inspire, not to simply lead.
Wildcat District and Area Agency on Aging Partner on Medicare Basics Workshops
Planning to retire and wondering what to choose within the Medicare maze? Join us from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. March 25 at Southeast Research-Extension Center, Parsons; or May 15 at the Coffeyville Senior Center. The workshop will cover eligibility, enrollment process and timeline, information for those 65+ and still working, and much more!
Stay Strong Stay Healthy Coming to Girard
Our bodies are made for activity, but modern conveniences allow us to be increasingly inactive. The Stay Strong, Stay Healthy eight-week program is built on simple, strength-building exercises that will improve balance, health and state of mind. An upcoming course will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting April 1, at K-State Research and Extension, Wildcat District meeting room, Girard, from 10 a.m. to 11a.m.