Do you have a story about how you used one of the programs offered by the Benefits Plan or the Assistance Program to overcome a challenge? Do you have an anecdote of how you exhibited Stewardship of Self in some other way? If so, we'd like to hear from you. Just click on the Share Your Story button below and complete the form, entering "Share Your Story" in the subject line.
"In my family, food equals togetherness. Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles ... we all love to get together over a home-cooked meal, done the old-fashioned way. Some years ago, my dad had passed away from heart disease, and later, so did his brother. So when my doctor recently told me that our traditional way to cook was putting me at risk, and that my family history made it worse, I got a little bit upset. But I knew she was right. Someone at work told me about the Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth Web site, so I used it to start an exercise program that's right for me. Best of all, I found lots of recipes that are good for my heart and that keep everybody else coming back for seconds."
"When I began smoking in my teens, I just knew I could stop any time I wanted. A couple decades later, I found it hard to get through a day at work without at least a few smokes to take away the edge. Then our beautiful son entered our lives. My wife insisted - and I agreed - that he wouldn't grow up in a smoking household. After trying unsuccessfully to quit on my own several times, I finally called the Mayo Clinic Tobacco Quitline. Their counseling, coaching, and support were phenomenal, and they really kept me on track. I'm happy to say I've been nicotine-free for nearly a year now."
"With the kids out of the house and their college more or less dealt with, my husband and I knew we had to focus on retirement without delay. We also knew that we'll be facing a totally different retirement landscape than our parents did. For us, it's going to mean being a lot more proactive with our saving and investing. My husband is even thinking about doing some contract work after he retires, just to stay busy and to give us an extra little cushion. But we're far from what you'd call financial experts, which is why we turned to the Employee Assistance Program for help. We talked to a Certified Financial Planner, who helped us to lay out a financial roadmap for a secure retirement."