Growing up, I looked forward to the holidays for many reasons, but in part because it was the one time of year when I was able to watch The Wizard of Oz. (Pre-VCR, DVD and streaming…remember that time?)

The movie was a favorite in our family all through my childhood but, as I got older, I appreciated the messages in the movie even more and discovered The Oz Principle, a leadership book based on the characters in the movie (which I highly recommend.) However, the last line of the movie – "There’s no place like home" – never resonated as much as it has in the past few months.

July 2023 was a doozy for me and my family. My partner suffered significant health issues and I needed to be with him in the hospital for weeks on end. In an unrelated twist of events, I also unexpectedly found myself without a 9-5 job for the first time in my professional career. What you learn during times like this is the true meaning of home. And what it feels like, similar to Dorothy after her crazy journey, when you finally are there.

What I’ve realized during this time is “home” isn’t about being in your own house or your own bed. It is about being surrounded by people who really care about you. Better said by author Robin Hobb, “Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there anymore.”

I’ve also learned you appreciate home a lot more when you have been away. My daughter had this experience recently when she stayed at a friends’ house for a few days. While she was grateful for their hospitality, she called and said, “I can’t wait to be home.” I reminded her that just the week before, she couldn’t wait to leave. She agreed that sometimes you have to go somewhere else to really appreciate what you have, and who you have, at home.

What does ANY of this have to do with a meat industry blog? Well, I know more than a few people who are facing challenges right now, personally and/or professionally. Maybe they are career displaced, have become caregivers, experienced loss, are dealing with their own challenges or are struggling to balance work-life choices against the ever-increasing demands of our industry.

Regardless of whether you’re in one of the categories above, ask yourself these questions: How many times this summer have I prioritized work over my family or friends? How often do I take my work frustrations home, preventing me from being fully present? When was the last time I reached out to check in on long-time friends or family for no reason?

And then ask yourself how you would do things differently if tomorrow everything changed.

I can tell you what I did: I went home.

I leaned on my people. The family, friends, former colleagues, and others in my personal board of directors who responded as soon as I called. They provided words of encouragement, meals, offers to run errands and, when the time was right, employment opportunities that fit my current situation. And each and every one of them embraced me in spite of the fact that I hadn’t always prioritized our relationships.

We are a tough bunch in this industry, but that doesn’t mean we have to go things alone. You have family and friends who would love to hear from you. Who would drop everything if you needed them, as you would for them.

Why wait? Reach out to them now. You don’t need a reason.

Dorothy was right: Tthere is NO place like home.

There's no place like home

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