The rodeo is a great way to think about life. You’ve got a lot of anticipation, eight seconds of glory, and then, you find yourself flung onto your behind only to get up and do it all over again.
It may sound exhausting, but that’s life.
The only way to get that glory is with a bit of hard work. And it’s not always going to be fame and glory. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself sitting in the dirt, figuring out what in the world went wrong.
The trick is to learn how to make sure the highs outweigh the lows. That’s easier said than done, but it’s a life lesson that’s worth learning. You’ll be able to live the life you’ve always wanted for yourself. And who knows, you may even decide to get onto a bull and hold on for eight seconds. Of course, that’s purely optional. You might just want to sit in the stands and watch someone else do that. You can achieve your glory in another way of your choosing.
Life’s About the Ride. Keep Calm and Hold On
John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!”
Hold on tight because this dream they call the rodeo can be one hell of a ride. We’re all going to encounter those almost-had-‘ems along with the victories.
The almost-had-’ems are some of the hardest to deal with. You almost got the job. Or you almost got the girl. Better yet, you almost hand one heck of a story to tell your friends.
That’s when you have to keep calm. Keep dreaming. Keep pushing yourself forward. Even if it’s scary, you do it anyway.
“Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!” – John Wayne
The ride is what life is all about. Every time you get out there, you can feel that rush of adrenaline as you enter new territory, gain a new skill, or try something for the first time.
Rodeos are never won because someone went out there and held on for eight seconds on the first go-around. They’re won through perseverance and perhaps a few broken bones along the way.
The same is true with life. All you have to do is hold on tight enough so that you can live to ride another day.
It’s Okay to Be Classy, Sassy, and a Bit Smart Assy
As you go through your almost-had-‘ems and your success stories, you can be classy about it. You can even be sassy about it. And sometimes, it’s okay to be a bit smart assy. There’s a time and a place for everything, though.
Let your personality shine through no matter what life is throwing at you. It’s easy to let people tell you what you can and cannot do. If you listen to people long enough, you may find that your inner light gets turned off. And that’s when you might start letting those almost-had-‘ems be your last ride.
“It’s the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain. And they call the thing rodeo.” – Garth Brooks
You must be classy about your victories, sassy about your losses, and a bit smart assy as you approach new and exciting adventures.
There’s something to be said about having a bit of swagger. Visit a rodeo in Texas so that you can see the kind of person hiding under a cowboy hat. They’ll be the perfect combination of classy, sassy, and smart assy.
As you incorporate those characteristics into your own personality, you’ll find that it’s easier to persevere.
When someone comes at you in Minnesota or Wisconsin, you’ll know just how to respond.
You’ve Got More than 8 Seconds in Life…Make Them Count
In bull riding, the goal is to stay on for at least eight seconds. Of course, judges also determine points based on the agility of the bull, the power and speed, and other components.
In life, you’re not given a score. And you have to hold on for a hell of a lot longer than eight seconds.
It’s why every moment matters. You have to be able to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move forward. As the saying goes, you can either go cry in the truck or cowboy up.
Most people will cowboy up. Crying in the truck is for quitters. Not to mention it’s embarrassing if someone catches you sobbing into your Stetson.
“I’ve often said there is nothing better for the inside of the man, than the outside of the horse.” – Ronald Reagan
When you go to a rodeo, you’ll see a lot of different cowboys. Those in the ring, competing in the championships, are bound to feel pain. It’s inevitable that they’ll be thrown from the bull.
One thing you’ll notice is that they don’t seem to suffer. Instead, they get up as quickly as they can, wave to the crowd, and head out of the ring. It’s a valuable lesson when you think about it. Pain is guaranteed in life. The suffering, however, is entirely up to you.
The more you spend wallowing in your pain and allowing suffering to consume you, the more you’ll put off the recovery. Life is waiting for you. Why waste it suffering in your own misery and self-doubt?
Living Life In Sherman Country
Living life in Sherman Country will help you to make the most of your life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Texas. Find yourself a rodeo and watch carefully what happens. It can be the motivation you need to move forward. If a rodeo cowboy can get thrown off a bull and still sign up for the next rodeo, you can move past all of your life’s obstacles, too.
A pole barn can help you to live a good life. Fill it with things that allow you to practice for your own rodeo. Or your next hunting trip. Or your next trip to the beach. Whatever fills you with joy should also be used to fill your pole barn.
In Sherman Country, we’re in the business of giving people a place of joy. A custom-made pole barn can be your man cave, your she-shed, your place of business, or even a solid storage facility for all of your toys.
When you’re ready to start living life to the fullest, on or off of a bull, Sherman Pole Buildings is here for you. We’ll show you the benefits, the costs, and get started on your build right away.
