Let Go of Fear, Anxiety, and Stress and Move Forward
Are you ready to bid farewell to 2020? The last days of the year are the perfect time to say goodbye to the negative and find the positive in your life. If you’re struggling with fear and anxiety over what 2021 will bring, you’re not alone. Scroll down to read “5 Ways to Find Peace in 2021.”
But first, know you’re not alone in your journey into the unknown and make no mistake – the fear and anxiety associated with this pandemic have been devastating. According to the JAMA Network, a June 2020 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of 5,412 U.S. adults, found that 40.9 percent of respondents reported “at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition,” including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance abuse, with rates that were 3 to 4 times the rates 1 year earlier.
The survey also notes that fear and worry range from uncertainty about our own health and the health of our loved ones, our financial situation or job, or loss of support services we rely on. We will heal from whatever 2020 has thrown our way but at our own pace. Patience, diligence, and self-care are the keys to recovery from loss and grieving. After dealing with a devastating loss in my family this year, here are the keys I have found to unlock a positive mindset and help me deal with anxiety and fear.
5 Ways to Find Peace in 2021
Set aside time in your day to reflect on the positive in your life.
Record your positive and negative thoughts in a journal.
Weigh what’s more satisfying – to be positive or negative. Choose to focus on the positive.
Use your influence to help colleagues and business owners who are struggling.
Reach for the sky. Put one of your business goals into play.
Look for the positive in your life. You shut the door to new possibilities when you focus on the negative.
Most of all, if you have feelings of desperation, hopelessness, depression, overwhelming anxiety, or substance abuse, know you are not alone. Visit this website to find the resources you need.
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More than one million mushrooms a day are harvested in Kennett Square and that number is half of the United States’ mushroom crop. Yes, the delightful, flavorful fungi you add to your omelets, soups, and favorite dishes could have its origins in Pennsylvania. That’s one of the PA AG FACTS I learned during the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, Harrisburg, Jan. 5 to 12.
I covered two days of the event on behalf of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg and I returned home knowing so much more about my home state’s agricultural history. The story is fascinating and the farm show has been a vehicle for the Department of Agriculture to showcase Pennsylvania’s abundant agricultural accomplishments through exhibits and demonstrations.
I hope you enjoy the “PA AG FACTS” and videos I’ve shared in this article.
PA AG FACT: Pennsylvania’s prime vegetable crops are sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and beans.
Did you miss the 2019 show?
Take a moment to watch highlights and don’t forget to subscribe to my new YouTube Travel Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2oX3N1C_58
If you couldn’t attend the 2019 PA Farm Show, watch this video to see highlights.
PA AG FACT: Other important crops are wheat, tobacco, and oats.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture is appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania and oversees the department of agriculture. The department has hosted the farm show for 103 years and during my video interview with Secretary Russell Redding in the farmers’ market area of the farm show, he described how agriculture shows up in our lives. Take a moment to watch this brief clip with photo highlights from the show.
Photos by Joan Mead-Matsui and Kento Matsui
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4iW956uph8
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding describes why the Pennsylvania Farm Show is a must-see. Video by Joan Mead-Matsui/Travel With Me Productions
PA AG FACT: Apples, grapes, peaches, and strawberries are important fruit crops grown in Pennsylvania.
The state’s many agricultural achievements are showcased at the farm show during seven days of exhibits and events featuring livestock, products, and food, and combined with a variety of vendors; demonstrations; a farmers’ market and information booths. It’s both educational, entertaining, and all-encompassing for your entire family.
TIP: Wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend a full day exploring the farm show. Bring your entire family and a stroller for younger children. The arena consists of more than one million square feet, with 11 halls, three arenas, and parking for 9,000 vehicles.
This horse and his owner graciously greeted children at the 103rd Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Do you love an old-fashioned state fair?
What makes the farm show a sensational state-wide event?
FOOD – I can’t say enough about the selection of food at the show. Attendees could satisfy their tastebuds with AG products ranging from OUTSTANDING mushroom BURGERS to the FAMOUS MILKSHAKE. Did you sample The Cyclone, a cone made with PA Preferred® brioche bread (using organic flour) and filled with a choice of organic chicken, or pasture-raised pork smoked on-site, topped with chow-chow, a North American pickled relish. Expect to satisfy your hunger and reap your share of vegetables from the condiment. Read more about other culinary adventures online at PENN LIVE.
Furry Friends on the bunny trail – Angorapalooza and a Celebrity Rabbit Hop featured seven new bunny varieties at the 2019 Perennial Farm Show favorite Rabbit Competition. I guarantee your entire family will adore all the animals from the chickens to goats.
Was this bunny the “unofficial” emcee of the rabbit competition? Your guess is as good as mine but nonetheless, he/she was a hit with children and adults. Photo by Kento Matsui.
Beverage Tasting – Did you have a chance to sample the fruity hard cider at Pennsylvania’s Cider Guild’s booth? The Cider Sippin’ Story made a return to the show with a Cider Competition.
Beer, Beer, who’s got craft beer?
Craft Beer Lovers’ Delight: The first-ever state-wide Craft Beer Competition brought craft brewers from Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties and beyond with more than 150 varieties ranging from Hefeweizens to Schwarzbiers. Awards were given to the Best in Class, Best of Show and the PA Preferred® Legacy Award.
World champion robotics and STEM agricultural demonstrations are examples of mobile classrooms The Lancaster Farming Stage organizers presented to show how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) applied in agriculture improves our lives with better food; healthier animals, plants and soil, and even climate challenges.
Ware’s the AG?
At the show’s Farmers’ Market – Were you one of the shoppers who bought wares like cheese, honey, maple products (sinfully delicious maple syrup), vegetables, apples, and potatoes at the Farmers Market?
Artisan’s Alley was a new addition to the 2019 farm show. Crafters and fine artists demonstrated their artistry and sold their hand-crafted goods. Horse-hair braiders, lace and bead makers, spinners, wheat weavers, potters, chair caners, and painters were among the craftspeople who entertained the crowds.
What Makes a Great Egg? ─ Even the white and brown eggs competed in a farm show competition.
Grow your own crops! Not sure how to get started? The information booths were manned by experts from local universities and organizations who ARE happy to extend their expertise to YOU.
Experts from The Penn State Extension offered practical advice for gardeners who had A to Z farming questions?
Hop on the organic wagon. The Organic Boom was a new feature at the 2019 show. If you were in the Expo Hall, chances are you discovered the latest news in composting, vermiculture, and conservation.
Where are the photos you took at the show? Follow farm show coverage @PAFarmShow and upload your images on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture encourages you to be a social media star.
The farm show complex is the “place to be” throughout the year for a variety of events. Promoters and meeting and event planners utilize the complex for livestock and trade shows, corporate meetings, trade shows, and black-tie events.
Additional coverage is available on my YouTube travel channel, where you’ll find videos with in-depth comments from Sharon S. Altland, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center executive director, Mary Klaus, farm show historian, and Gerald Reichart, farm show floor manager.
Disclaimer: I covered the event on behalf of Visit Hershey & Harrisburg but my views are my own and based on my experience. Click on this link to follow happenings in Harrisburg, Hershey, and surrounding towns.
