Upcoming Order Deadlines

Madison:

Order by Sunday, November 13, 2016
Pickup Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Hattiesburg & Hattiesburg Hwy 98 West

Order by Monday, November 14, 2016
Pickup Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Biloxi & Gulfport

Order by Monday November 14, 2016
Pickup Thursday, November 17, 2016

We believe in transparency, as there’s no better education about what it is we do, how we do it and why, than an honest and straightforward conversation about any aspect of our farm!

Veterans Day Sale: We wish to show appreciation to our military veterans and the men & women who continue to serve our Nation by offering a $25 savings on our Beef Variety Share regularly priced at $205, now $180. Order now for pickup per the above schedule.

Who Moved My Cheese?

I'm reminded of a small book that I had read 12 or so years ago. The book is entitled Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson. Although this book has less than 100 pages, it has a very powerful message about dealing with changes that take place in our lives. Change happens – and it will continue to happen. Some people anticipate change quicker than most. Some people adapt to change sooner and easier than most. Most people, unfortunately, hem and haw about the situation – and do very little until it is too late.

Who Moved My Cheese? features four characters: two mice, "Sniff" and "Scurry," and two little people (miniature humans), "Hem" and "Haw." The names of the little people are taken from the phrase "hem and haw," a term for indecisiveness. They all live in a maze, which represents one's environment. They spend most of their time looking for cheese, which represents things like happiness, success and security. One day, the mice and the little people happen upon a cheese-filled corridor at Cheese Station C. Content with their find, Hem and Haw establish routines around their daily intake of cheese – which they mistakenly believe will last forever.

One day, Sniff and Scurry arrive at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left – but they are not surprised. Noticing the cheese supply dwindling, they had mentally prepared for the arduous but inevitable task of finding new cheese. Leaving Cheese Station C behind, they begin their hunt for new cheese. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C to find the same thing… no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demands, "Who moved my cheese?" The little people had counted on the cheese supply to remain constant. Therefore, they were totally unprepared. After discussing the unfairness of the situation, they went home hungry. Returning the next day, Hem and Haw find the same cheeseless place. After a few days, Haw starts to understand the situation at hand. He talks about searching the maze for new cheese – but Hem is dead set in his victimized mindset and dismisses the proposal.

Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry find an abundance of new cheese in Cheese Station N. Back at Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw blame each other for their problem. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for new cheese. Hem, however, is frightened about the unknown. He dismisses the idea again. The little people continue to go hungry. One day, Haw realizes how debilitating his fears have been – and he began to chuckle at the situation. Knowing he has no choice but to move on, Haw enters the maze. Before leaving, he chisels "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct" on the wall of Cheese Station C for his friend to ponder.

Haw finds some bits of cheese along the way that nourish him and allow him to continue his search. He realizes the cheese back at Cheese Station C did not suddenly vanish. It gradually dwindled from continual eating. After a stop at an empty cheese station, Haw begins worrying about the unknown again. Brushing aside his fears, Haw's new mindset allows him to enjoy life again. He has even begun to smile again! He realizes that "When you move beyond your fear, you feel free." After another empty cheese station, Haw decides to go back for Hem with the few bits of new cheese he has managed to find.

To Haw’s disappointment, Hem refuses the new cheese. With knowledge learned along the way, Haw heads back into the maze. Inspired by bits of new cheese here and there, Haw leaves a trail of writings on the wall. These clarify his own thinking and give him hope that his friend will find aid in them – if he ever decides to search for new cheese. One day, Haw comes across Cheese Station N, which has an abundance of new cheese. He has found what he was looking for. After eating, Haw reflects on his experience. He ponders a return to see his old friend – but decides to let Hem find his own way. Finding the largest wall in Cheese Station N, Haw writes:

· Change happens.

· Anticipate change.

· Adapt quickly.

· Be ready to change quickly, again and again.

· Enjoy change.

· If you do not change, you can become extinct.

· Ask yourself “What would I do if I weren’t afraid?”

· Movement in a new direction helps you find New Cheese.

· When you move beyond your fear, you feel free.

· The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find New Cheese.

· It is safer to search in the maze than to remain in a cheeseless situation.

· Old beliefs do not lead you to New Cheese.

· Noticing small changes early helps you adapt to the bigger changes that are to come.

This little book has an excellent message for all of us. Our fear of change can be debilitating. It will keep us from growing as an individual or as a business. I also like the way it acknowledges the impact others have on us. If you surround yourself with fearful and negative people, then you will become fearful and negative. If you surround yourself with fearless and positive people, then you will have a much better chance of maximizing your potential. This is what we often refer to as the “herd effect” and the “herd-mentality” way of thinking. The status quo herd is deathly afraid of change. They would rather fail than succeed if success requires change. That’s sad – but it provides HUGE opportunities for the Herd Quitters.

At Nature's Gourmet Farm many of our customers have embraced our Herd Quitter strategy and regularly order their beef, pork, and chicken. And we appreciate your business & encouragement.

However, many folks have signed up but have never purchased. They have access to customer testimonials, farm videos, and know our products are healthier for their families than industrial ag food - but, somehow can't break out of old mindsets and change their buying habits.

Which one are you?