They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and I will have to agree. I was able to return to one of my most absolute favorite places this weekend and participate in a Grilling 101. Yes, you read that right, the famous Grilling 101’s I have talked about before. I do not think it can be much better than being surrounded with people and an organization you have so much passion for and being able to cook an amazing steak. The famous Grill Master was there, showing us the skills on how to cook the steak properly. I will have to admit, I still got it. The steak was phenomenal and the food was astounding as always. If you have never tried grilled angel food cake then you need to add it to the list of things to try!
Being there brings back some wonderful memories and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience my internship with the Texas Beef Council. The last two weeks have been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, but I think the struggles that we go through only make us the people that we are today. That struggle tends to push me to do more and make more of myself.
As I was sitting at the table yesterday, talking to the incredible women that surrounded me, I realized that things were starting to fall in place. The connection between local chapters across the state was slowly but surely starting to happen. That brings so much joy to my heart. I am thrilled to see where the future of CattleWomen is going and I know I will be along for the ride. Find something you love to do and invest in it and only make it better. Life is too short to be unhappy or hold grudges. Take time out of your day to do something special for a stranger. Be caring to everyone regardless of what may have happened and try to be a positive impact on someone’s life. I have met some remarkable ladies in my life who have left a lasting impression upon me. I only hope that one day I can do the same for someone else.
As always spread some love, we could all use a little more love.
What do you do when you don’t know what to do? I believe everyone has reached this point at some point or another in their life. What do you do when it seems like you can’t go anymore? What do you do when it seems like every time you take a step forward, you end up taking two steps back? What do you do when you finally decide to take a chance and open your heart up for someone only for them to walk away? How can you carry on when you have a heart so big and so much love to give? What do you do when you begin to question yourself on every decision you have made so far? What do you do when you don’t know if you are on the right track? What if you feel stuck and wonder if maybe you should have taken a job instead of going to graduate school? What do you do when all you want is to make sure that your kid is happy and has more and better opportunities than you do? What if you don’t know if you are doing anything right? I hate it when life gets hard and the days come when you just don’t understand. What if you know what you want in life but you don’t know which step to take to get there? What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
Well…today is the day. The first anniversary of my 29th Birthday. This day has been on my mind for the last 6 months at least. Mostly I just panicked. I was obsessively thinking about what I am going to do? Is this the end of my world or something? Overly dramatic I know. I felt panicked because I am not married yet, and not even close to it. Panicking because I am still in school. Panicking because I do not have my own place to live in yet. Panicking because another year is coming which means my baby girl is getting another year older.
Holy Cow, that is a lot of time spent panicking over something that is bound and determined to happen regardless of how I feel about it. This last year, I put a lot more stress on my life than I needed to. I spent so much time worrying about things that honestly do not really matter in the grand scheme of life. Most of my worries are just things that need to happen in this chapter of my life in order for me to take the next step.
So, who cares if I still live with my parents? Who cares if I am still in school or if I am an unmarried woman with a child? I know that I am doing the best I can right now for this chapter of my life. The first anniversary of my 29th birthday…. It is upon me. Funny thing is, I feel like these are going to be some of my best years yet. It is incredible how much such a small thing, like surrounding yourself with people you aspire to be, can change your thinking on things. Take some time to surround yourself with people who love you and lift you up and only want the best for you. Take some time to sit and listen; Whether it be in a church pew or your special place at home. Make some time to think about things and listen. THE message will hit you when you least expect it. Also, learn to love music. Music for me cures almost everything. What music does not cure, laughing sure does. So, laugh loud and laugh often. Yes, even have some of those laughs that involve tears streaming down your face. The big 3-0 year is going to be one for the books, I can already feel it.
As always spread some love, we could all use a little more love.
Man oh man! My trip to Phoenix was simply magical!! This was my second year to attend the American National CattleWomen (ANCW) annual meetings, but this was my first year to attend the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) annual meeting. First and foremost, wow. Just WOW! I did not realize how big this event was or how many attended this convention. Even if it is only for one day, the trade show is worth it. In the market for a job? The trade show is where it is at. So many different companies were represented. From equipment companies to insurance companies to feed companies; Whatever your interest in agriculture is, there was a booth for it.
Besides meeting new people and being nominated to serve on the Board of Directors for ANCW, I had one more piece I really enjoyed. Believe it or not, I loved being able to hear Colin Woodall speak. He is NCBA Chief Lobbyist on Capitol Hill. He is an astounding speaker and has given me the drive to become more knowledgeable about the current legislature affecting our agricultural industry. If ever given the chance, I highly recommend attending any meetings where he is speaking.
I wrapped up my convention by attending an emerging leaders luncheon. This is an incredible opportunity for college students and the youth coming up in the industry. We were able to sit down with some of the more knowledgeable people in the industry and learn what it takes to succeed. There was also a notable speaker there by the name of Bruce Vincent. He is an impeccable speaker, so please make sure to check him out as well.
As I sat looking out of my airplane window, a lot of thoughts went through my head. First, I have this minor birthday coming up which makes me another year older…… Yikes!! Second, I truly needed to get home and see my baby. I thought about how much I need to really start working harder on my goals and making a name for myself. I work pretty hard now, but you can always work harder. I pondered about how much the Women In Ranching program is so special to me. Most of all, I thought about how fortunate I am.
This past year has been an amazing ride and one where I became more and more involved in an industry that I love. I went from being just a member in a collegiate organization to the Vice President of Texas CattleWomen. From there I am now privileged to serve on the Board of Directors for American National CattleWomen. As time has passed, I have gotten to meet more and more people who are just as passionate about the Cattle Industry as I am.
Graduate school. My next big step. Grad school officially started last week and I was a big ball of emotions. First of all, I was relieved that I was accepted. I was also ecstatic that I can continue my education in the field that I love and am passionate about. I was nervous. I am the new kid on the block so to speak.
Almost on cue, I began having the “questioning” feeling. Am I doing the right thing? Am I supposed to go to graduate school? Is this all part of my plan? While I pondered my whole ball of feelings last week, I was really stuck on this last feeling, questioning. I sat down and decided to write out my goals and dreams. Here is a trick I learned from Gary V……… Write out the top goal you have, no matter WHAT it is. From there, work backwards until you get to the present time. You then have somewhat of a schedule or agenda on the steps you need to take to get you to your ultimate goal. After writing everything out and working through it in my mind, I do feel that graduate school is a step in the right direction for me.
I know that all of the decisions I have made in the past have led me to right where I am today. However, I feel that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. I am super excited about the amazing things that are coming this year and I know He has so much more planned for me.
Wow! I am having trouble coming up with the words! My trip to Ireland was simply amazing. I do not think it was from all of the beautiful sights or the wonderful food that I tasted. I think stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something new made it exciting. I think being able to disconnect from the phone, social media, people in general from time to time helps. While I did not unplug as much as I wanted too, I did some. I do not think people realize how hard it is to unplug until they actually try and do it. Give it a try, it does put things in perspective.
Hanging out with the locals, meeting new people and just listening to what people had to say made the trip worthwhile. My favorite part on every tour we went on was learning about all the history. Most importantly though, I had the time away to think and re-evaluate my goals, my passions, what I want in life, and what I want for Mattie. While there was no ringing in the New Year, I welcome this New Year with a huge smile on my face!
2017 was one of those years to remember and to cherish. It was a year where I felt accomplishment, many blessings, joys, along with heartache and disappointment. 2017 was a year where I took a chance and decided to step out of my comfort zone. It was a year where I learned that it is perfectly fine and acceptable to not know ALL of the answers. I learned to trust and have faith in a plan that is bigger than me. It was a year full of being able to spend time with the people who mean the most to me. 2017 was a year of learning and discovering my passions, and taking those passions and making something out of them despite how crazy they may seem.
Most importantly, 2017 was a year of a tremendous amount of growth. Growth in being able to look at yourself in the mirror and love the person looking back at you. Growth in knowing that despite the past, you are right where you were supposed to be. Growth in knowing that the future is bright and there is so much more out there for you. Growth in learning to love here, and now, in the present. 2017 was a hell of a year and here is to 2018!
I started 2018 off with a bang and am looking forward too many more new adventures. I’m going to take more chances and continue to step more and more out of that comfort zone. I’ll be taking extra time to cherish all of the little things. Honestly, they are the only things that matter. I’m going to follow my passions, even if it means going against the grain. My passions burn like a fire in my heart and given enough time I can explain why they matter to me. I’m going to laugh every day and multiple times a day. Laughing is good for the soul. If you do not laugh, you definitely need to start. Most importantly, one has to love. Love as often as you can and as deep as possible. And pray. Pray hard and pray often. Only the Big man upstairs knows what plans He has for me. However, I am betting that it is something spectacular.
Smile-Laugh-Love. We could all use a little more love.
It has been quite a journey, even though I probably took twice as long as the average student. The last four years have done some amazing things for me along with a lot of growing. I worked three different jobs continuously over the last two years and my home and school life is anything but “Normal”. I’m a single parent doing my best to make every performance, every parade at school, every Christmas program, and being there to walk her into her “Big Kindergarten School” every morning. I am so thankful for the amazing teachers that have touched my life and always understood and done anything they could to help. Cheers to the countless late nights and projects that were done under crunch time. Oh how many times I wanted to throw in the towel and just succumb to the tears. Cheers to the many tears shed not knowing if I was doing the right thing or what I was supposed to be doing. Cheers to my parents, who no matter the day or time where there for me. To my Mom, who would pick me up along with all of the pieces during those tearful nights and tell me that everything would be okay. Cheers to discovering a passion that was buried deep downside and to learning about myself all over again.
College not only gave me an education, it gave me a dream and a new meaning to life. I am immensely thankful for the amazing people I have met on the journey; The ones that I cannot thank enough for the support they have given me along the way. To the awesome friendships that I have developed and to my old friends (more like “family”) who rooted for me no matter how often or how little we spoke. I thank each and every one of you.
While some people may not think that Graduation is a big deal, that is okay. Everyone has their own story and this is mine. Everyone has hardships and tribulations. I would just like to give myself a little pat on the back. I have been at rock bottom and slowly but surely crawled my way back up to where I am today. I still have a long way to go to get where I want to be, but I know I can get there. I have made it this far, nothing is going to stop me now.
Mmmm the Holidays! Some of my favorite times of the year. A time where you can hopefully sit back and relax; Where you can spend some time with your family. A time where you can watch football, eat too much, have multiple desserts and everything be just gravy. A time where you can get a jump on Christmas shopping for a discount! Also, for all my customer service people out there, a time when the restaurants and shops will be filled with people who are out and about shopping.
This holiday is going to be a little different for me. Sometimes we have to break tradition, not because we want to but because we have too. My grandparents’ house was flooded in the recent storms, so this year Thanksgiving will be held at a different place. This made me stop and think about how my family has grown over the years. My Cousin, my brothers and sister have gotten married and started their own families. Not everyone can be every place at the same time, so you miss seeing them during the Holidays when you used to be able to catch up. That is Life though right? Things change, people change, and you make the best of every situation you can.
I am hoping to start a new tradition this year. I haven’t been home that much at all this year due to life. Everyone knows how it can get crazy busy. I however, have a date with the man (my dad) and we are putting a brisket on for Thanksgiving. My Dad is normally always on the grill cooking, but I thought I would try my hand at it this time. I am super excited about it as it has been quite some time since we have gotten to have some quality Pop and daughter time. Regardless of how it turns out, nothing can beat being at home and around family.
I am also fortunate to be able to spend some time at one of my most favorite places, our deer camp in Sandy Creek. I love being there and every stress and worry is thrown out the window as soon as you hit the gravel road. It is also nice to get to sit in the deer stand, finally! I know! I am horribly late getting out there this year.
Plan for the future, but stay in the present. This thought has been staying with me this week and I felt the need to go into more depth with it. People always ask me, “Well, what do you want to do after you graduate?” In years past, the first thought that would come to my mind would have been, I have no idea. Lately I have been figuring myself out and getting to know “Me” all over again. I have discovered the things that bring me happiness and joy, besides my family. Cows, Traveling, Reading, Writing, and Photography…….. Pretty plain and simple. Now that I know these things, I can make the right steps in the present to plan to hit my future goals. I know that they are not going to happen overnight, and I truly know that they will not happen at all if I do not put in the work or make the effort. The thing that I love most is that I know my future goals and I have put the pen to paper and that will only drive me to accomplish more.
These are the top 5 things that I want to accomplish, nothing too crazy right? I know they can be obtained but I also know that it is going to take hard work and a lot of patience. However, if you want something bad enough anything is possible. The best part about all of this is, my path to get there is going to be amazing and I am so excited to see where it takes me. You never know, a year from now I may find something else I want to add to my list.
Thoughts for the week: