Sometimes, there are things in life that can bring you down. There are things in life that can give you wake up calls, and there are things in life that can bring you joy. I am hoping that you get to experience the more joyful times, I, however, have all of the above over the last couple of weeks. It is crazy how life can be from time to time. When everything seems to be lined up perfectly or going well and you often have to wonder when that next “bad” thing is going to happen. I have had an amazing year this past year and have really tried to stay positive despite the hiccups that occur, I mean it is life, nothing is ever perfect or that easy. I have often struggled with listening to what people say too much and changed my way of doing things based on what one particular person may or may not have said. When in reality, I should listen to everyone’s opinion about particular topics and form my own. I think the way society and the world are today, it is so much easier to just follow the crowd. While if this is what you choose to do, there is nothing wrong with that. I, however, want something more.
I was recently told that my writing was just about another trip I was on and that it was not cutting it, or that is how I took it. It took me some time to think through this as writing in particular about anything I was doing was a huge step for me. Then I read a blog by Curt Pate Stockmanship, it was exactly what I needed to hear at the right time. After reading it, I came to the conclusion that I know all too well, but just need to be reminded every once in a while. You can’t make everyone happy and there is no point in trying. Do what you do, write how you want to write and be who you want to be. Those that matter don’t mind and those that mind don’t matter.
That wake-up call was one that I knew was coming but I was not quite ready for. I write this as I am sitting in the hospital waiting for my dad to get out of his back surgery. Back surgery. You hear so many things about that kind of surgery. While he should be in and out in an hour, it still makes you realize how important family is. He is my superman, so helping to take care of him will be quite the change. He has always been my rock that has been there when I needed anything. Looks like I get to return the favor and I can foresee lots of grass mowing in my future, or for the next 6 weeks anyway.
There are so many things that bring me joy in my life, too many to name but Mattie is a huge part of that. It is amazing to watch her grow and see the person she is becoming. She is definitely my mini-me and sometimes that is really scary, but she also has her own way of doing things. I am looking forward to the weekend as well as my best friend will finally be home. Surround yourself with people that love you but people that also push you to be better. The future looks bright, make sure you make the most of it!
As always spread some love, we could all use a little more love.
There are no words that can express how much this past weekend meant to me. I was a whirlwind of emotions from frustration to being on the brink of tears multiple times due to the overwhelming feeling of joy. There is nothing like putting your heart and soul into a project and then it turns out even better than you had hoped.
Saturday morning started out early and with a bang. I loved checking everyone in! I was finally able to put a face with the ladies that I had been talking to. Dr. Gill started out the morning with his amazing cow handling abilities. He is such a Rockstar to watch. I learn something new every time I hear him speak. It is almost like magic how he is able to move the cows around on horse and on foot. The afternoon was a favorite part of the event for many ladies. I, however did not get attend this part. When Mother duty calls, I have to go. I drove back to College Station to watch Mattie at her dance recital. She did awesome! She is definitely a talented little girl. After the recital I drove back to Decatur, Texas to make sure I was there for the next morning. Yes, that is a lot of driving but when you are that passionate about the things going on in your life you do what you need to do.
Today as I was driving I was thinking and God has been amazing to me this year. I can not thank Him enough for that. I really believe that if you are on the right path and you give thanks and praise to the right Man upstairs, He will continue to bless you and you will experience happiness. Yes, life is always full of ups and downs, but that is life. The way you look at things determines the outcome. You only get one life…… Live it to its full potential.
These past few weeks have been splendid. I’ve met new people and felt like I instantly connected with them. I know that having them in my life is going to be a great thing. I’ve reunited with friends, the ones you have not seen in a while and how you can just pick up where things left off. God sure does have an exciting plan laid out for me and I am beyond stoked to see what the future holds. It is amazing how things seem to start falling in place when you thoroughly enjoy life. It is kind of crazy how one girl at A&M who wore a Texas Aggie CattleWomen t-shirt, pretty much changed my whole life around. Gretchen, I thank you by the way if you are reading this. I am so blessed to be able to have so much passion and love for an organization that I can actually participate in. Another thank you “Shout Out” to my parents for helping make that possible as well.
Burlington, Colorado. A new place that I had never been before. I went to the American National CattleWomen Region IV meeting. While it was a little drive to get there, it was exactly what I needed. When you are on the road for that long, you get time to clear your head and look at all the spectacular things in life. Burlington was a different side of Colorado that I had not seen yet. There were lots of pastures and open spaces and hardly any trees. The weather could not have been more perfect. I was a little worried as there was a rain storm forming but it turned out phenomenal. Being with my CattleWomen is never a disappointment and I continue to look forward to every meeting that I have with them!
Life can be really funny at times. Sometimes you get those curve balls thrown at you and you just expect the worst to happen. You get ready to put on your brave face and your big girl panties because you can get through this just like you have gotten through everything else. All the sudden, that curve ball you were thrown actually turns into a really great thing. All that stress and the questioning of things that you thought you needed to do, didn’t really need to happen at all. At times like this, I just like to sit and chuckle. Yes, you read that right, I sit and chuckle to myself. God has to have an amazing sense of humor.
While I was working myself through this curveball, I took some time to sit and reflect. You see, I have been told that at times I can have tunnel vision. I did not believe this at first but then I took some more time to think about it. I can get so focused on certain people or projects in my life that I forget to stop and smell the roses. The last four years have been some great ones at A&M, but this year, 2018 has been the best so far.
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.
