Friday 21 July 2017

July 21, 2017 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings

   One of my absolute favourite times of the year is the ten days in July when the Calgary Stampede is on.

  While I have never been there in person, I thoroughly enjoy watching the thrilling rodeo events and chuckwagon races on TV - where you can see the action a lot closer, and don’t have to battle crowds to do so.

   The cowboys and cowgirls who compete in Calgary every year are the best of the best - whether they are veterans of the rodeo circuit, or relatively unknown newcomers.  And so are all the animals.

   Because they are so good, it is such a treat to watch them compete.  They make their event seem so easy and natural.  You can tell they love what they do.

   Yet, just because they are so good, doesn’t mean that they can all win, or even that it is smooth sailing for them.

   Things can, and do, go wrong.  Riders get bucked off, barriers are tripped, calves and steers get away, barrels go down, someone ends up being faster, and competitors get hurt.

   Just like in every day life.  

   No matter how proficient we are at our favourite tasks, sometimes things just don’t work out for us.

   No matter how much we love what we do, sometimes we just have a bad day or two, or month. 

   No matter how good we are, sometimes someone comes along who is better or faster.

   No matter how careful we are, sometimes we just end up getting hurt.

   But, in life, as in the rodeo world, we can’t let that stop us.  We need to dust ourselves off, regroup, and get right back in the ring to give it our best shot the next day.

   Cowboys and cowgirls are not defined by just one ride or race, and we are not defined by just one activity or situation.  They are the best because they keep competing and don’t give up.  We become the best in our lives when we keep showing up and don’t give up too. 

Beth


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