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By Ron King, CEO of Oscar’s Place
The story of Oscar’s Place doesn’t have a glamorous beginning. It starts with me losing my job.
I was a media and fashion executive living a fast-paced bi-coastal life and thought I had it all — front row seats at Milan fashion shows, a great apartment, a full social life. Then the pandemic hit and I got laid off from my career. My world as I knew it fell apart. Everything changed in a heartbeat. With nowhere to go and no plans for the future, I relied on the compassion of my friends in my hardest moments.
Desperate for a change of pace and purpose, I found myself in Hopland, California to help a friend sell a piece of land that was intended to be a farm animal sanctuary but never got off the ground. When I learned about the terrible fate of mistreated donkeys, I knew we had to do something. Before long, I was shoveling donkey poop and spending hours sitting in musty stalls trying to comfort stressed out animals.
Fast forward to today and Oscar’s Place has now saved more than 75 donkeys. I have never been happier. We “saved” these donkeys, but they saved me, too. Every day, they amaze me with their resilience, showing me what’s possible with the right amount of love and kindness.
Running this donkey sanctuary has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I couldn’t do it without passionate individuals like you. In fact, I’m wondering if you could help me out with some advice: on a personal level, it can be hard to take mental health breaks when you live and work in the same place. Do you have any ideas or advice on how to find balance and manage stress? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share your advice with me in the comments below.
Everyone wants to be in control of whatever they are doing yet, we think of what we did'nt do yesterday, what we have to do tomorrow, how we are doing too much or not doing enough. I love animals and coudn't bear to see them suffer. (I only have a neautiful cat). As soon as you start to feel stressed STOP. We only live a minute at a time and in the present. The past is gone. Tomorrow might never come. We only live a day at a time or as I've said, a minute at a time. Slow down. What are you rushing about for. Try your best. That's all anybody can do. You are doing a wonderf…
Yo Ron, I agree with comments about a day off per week (possibly more seasonally), for regular mind refresh cycles. ... for Brainstorming on Healthy OPTIONS: I bet this Spring Time will be easier. There might be a new or past aerobic activity you will be actualizing, that matches up with what your little inner kid Likes. ... for My Stress Challenges, I love my off road capable RadRover eBiking Adventures. I could bring my RadRover eBike or two over (w rack on my car) ... if you might be interested in a sample session. I could also offer you a Kayaking session in nearby area Lake Mendo, Blue Lakes, or a Clearlake estuary (have two light weight wood strip…
I can definitely relate to this! I’ve owned my own horse farm for over 20 years, always living and working full time on-site. I do most of the horse care and all of the business work myself, boarding, training, and (my favorite) rescuing/ rehabbing horses and ponies. Each aspect comes with its own stresses, and in the past I often worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week.
The one thing I’ve found that helped me the most to combat stress and burnout is to set aside one day a week for myself. I have reliable help set up for this day so that unless there is an emergency I can have a farm-free day. For me, this usually …
Ron, go to local schools and give a request to the principal to talk to the kids about what you are doing to help the donkeys. You don't have to ask for money but you will find interested, compassionate kids that will go home and tell their families. The kids may do something to help as a class. That in turn will make you feel wonderful.
I’ve always worked outside, you are doing that and that is a big plus right there. I‘ve also been running for over 44 years……..because I love it. Not everyone enjoys running, and I’m sure you get enough exercise caring for the Donkeys, but the thing that always seems to make me happy is MUSIC! Music can either be happy or calming, I love the happy music, but calming music can be very relaxing. Put some headphones on and relax, there’s a lot of good music out there.
AND THANK YOU for all the Donkey care you give!! You are GREAT!!