JWsPOV

     As one year ends and another begins, many people feel like a new start in life. They feel like the get a "do over". I like this philosophy and out look.  I believe that we should all hope to be better people.  We should want our lives to be more in the future.   The one problem is hesitate to make difficult changes in our daily lives that allow that true fresh start.      Making New Years resolutions have never been one of my strong suits.  My philosophy is when you decide you need to make a change in your life.  You make that change immediately.  If you want to start eating healthier.  The best option is to throw out all the bad food and just buy foods that are better for you.  If you want to start exercising, you need to start a set time the next day.  Too many times we say, oh I will wait until I eat all the food I have or I will start next week at the gym.  Small changes we do each day and repeat ...

     The Holidays in our great country can be a wonderful time of year.  Christmas lights, trees, food, friends, family and of course, food.  People choose to spend time with family, friends or at events.  There is normally laughter, joy and sometimes tears.  This time of year is loved by many and hated by others.      Choosing how you spend your time during the holidays is your choice.  If you decide to take a trip, then enjoy every minute.  If you decide friends and people you care for are in order, then please indulge and enjoy every minute.  If you decide it is strictly family, remember, the liquor stores are there for you.      People also tend to congregate in masses to shop for all sorts of items.  They go from store to store on a strict time table to get the must have items for the year.  I say if you want to go spend money, then go spend money.  If you want to stay home and veg, by ...

     Recently I had to he opportunity to head to South Texas/ Gulf Coast Region to judge two different cattle shows.  If anyone has never been to South Texas/ Gulf Coast Region I HIGHLY recommend a trip.  Texas is a state that I absolutely LOVE!  My trip was roughly 942 miles round trip.  Keep in mind, this is two different weekends and trips.  So each one was roughly 942 miles.  I did not even go west of Highway 35 to make either trip.  The sights, the sounds, the people and experience makes it all worth ever mile.      When a dear friend asked me to judge a prospect show for a fundraiser I said yes.  Supporting the youth of our country and in agriculture should be a top priority for everyone involved.  This is our future and we want each of all of them succeed.  I was also asked to judge a ring for a great series of shows happening in Texas right now.  This allowed me to make 2 great trips through t...

     The world we live in today is different than when I was growing up.  Some parts of our lives remain as it was years ago, not much of it still exists.  What makes the difference is social media and 24 hour news cycle.  Everything is amplified.  When I was a young child I was extremely shy.  I had a hard time talking to anyone that I did not know and simply would not speak unless spoken too.  I have been told that I "might" have grown out of that phase, not sure I believe those people.      There are times when people are quiet and don't say anything in different situations.  This can be because they are shy or simply have nothing to add to the conversation.  Even as an adult I find situations when I do not want to add comments to a situation.  I simply want to observe the people and their interactions.      Growing up being on the shy side allows individuals to really learn about people. ...

     There is a new movie out right now that is called Straight Outta Compton.  It is about artists that changed pop music and hip hop forever.  They were arguably some artists that could be called revolutionary.  I do not listen to Rap or Hip Hop on a regular basis.  I love music of all kinds.  There are songs and singers that can sing beautifully in all genres of music.  If you have an appreciation for music you can not deny that some talent exist in all areas of the music industry.      This movie is one that depicts the struggles of these young men coming out of troubled South Los Angles.  This is a movie about guys how did not have the best start in life, making it large.  This is actually a movie that could be seen as an American Dream Movie.  There are actually a lot of stories like this for the rich and famous.      There are many people in this country that have worked hard and obtaine...

     There are many firsts in all our lives.  Days, moments or events that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.  Celebrating these first events should be done regularly and with joy.  Allowing ourselves to be happy about first events is a great way to allow our hearts to be fuller and lives more rich.      Many people remember their first kiss, their first boyfriend or girlfriend.  People remember their first true love.  This is the time of year where parents send their kids off to school.  For many this is the first day of school of any kind.  First day of Pre-K and Kindergarten can be very special.  For me the first day of Kindergarten and College are ones I will always remember.      For those of us that do not have kids. We too should take a minute to enjoy all the blessings that come with these firsts.  If we want to evolve and be happy as people, we need to see the beauty in others....

     In the world we live in abbreviations are more popular than ever.  I am not the oldest person in the room normally.  I do know what some abbreviations mean today and from days past. P.S. is written at the end of a letter and means Post Script.  This means is was an added not to the information listed in it's above letter.  Etc is abbreviated for et cetera. You can look it up if you do not know that meaning, it's worth a google.      It seems to me that using some of the current abbreviated writing or texting has infected our society.  People are talking in the same terms.  Does anyone else see the problem here?  Do people not understand if you can not communicate effectively, you will never get ahead.  I am not talking about people with accents or dialects from different regions.  There are people from the south with their slow drawl that will put Harvard Grads to shame in a debate.      I...

     Earlier this year I wrote a blog about a wonderful funeral and my observations in West Texas.  This last weekend I once again had the pleasure of celebrating the life of a loved one.  As we get older it is inevitable that we do these duties of life celebrations aka funerals. This blog will not be about funerals and my observations. You can read the last one in this link:  Small West Texas Town      While on this visit to West Texas and the Abilene area.  My dad and I had the pleasure of seeing all his surviving brothers and sisters. I also spent time with cousins I had not seen in years!! I love this sort of family time.  It reminds me of all the similarities our family shares. Even when we have not seen each other for sometime years.      I have always thought West Texas had this great charm about it.  There is something about the State of Texas when you get West of Highway 35.  The people and atmo...

    Events happen in our lives which many wish we could go back in time and prevent. These events though rough, made us better people today. I normally don't post or write stories like this one. It's time to share more of my personal life and emotions. My hope is that you enjoy this true story.        There are moments in our lives that will forever change us. Decisions or events that etch a permanent place in our minds. Events like the day JFK was shot, 9/11, and deaths of loved ones. The most recent for many were the events on 9/11.  A tragic day in our countries history where we came together as one nation.  There was definitely a lot of working together as one nation under god.  Many people prayed and looked for friends, co-workers and loved ones in the debris.  It was a sad time in our Nations history.      There are times of grieving in our Nations history and it seems to always bring us closer together in my op...

      At this point we are almost through the summer.  My mind works as summer being June, July and August.  Three glorious months where memories are made and we all grow a little older.  From the outlook of students and teachers it is a blessing along with a curse.  Short times of freedom while the dredge of the school year slowly approaches.       Summer time is a great time to reconnect with friends/family while rejuvenating your mind, body and soul.  Many families still opt for a vacation somewhere exciting.  Others just relax and spend time at home.  Those of us in Agriculture tend to spend summer breaks in barns, pastures, and show rings.  Many of this happens all over the state and country.      This time is a special time in young people's lives.  It can really make a difference in their outlook in the world.  For young people they are going to start back to school in a new ...

     When I was growing up, my Mom and Dad would listen to WBAP.  Paul Harvey was a great story telling and radio personality.  Mom loved to listen to him the most. Since she was in charge of being my personal chauffeur, we listened to Mr. Harvey a lot.      Growing up with older parents and even a sibling so much older gave me a different perspective on life.  We did not go to fast food restaurants.  We did not hang out at the mall that often.  We did go to good dinning establishments with cloth napkins.  We tipped well to those that deserved it and were always polite to people in public.      As I got older I realized that these small events were huge impacts on my life.  It taught me how to act, and how to treat others.  Always with respect.      As dad and I head down the road on our adventures, it gives me time to reflect and ponder. Dreams are a big part of life. I...

     When I was younger I was blessed with older parents and a sister that was 9 years ahead of me in life.  My father taught me to walk softly and carry a big stick.  My mother taught be how to "tell someone off" and have them thank you when the conversation is over.  My sister, well she taught me to have fun.  Music was always a part of my life growing up.  My mother played the piano while my sister and I both learned the saxophone.  One thing I wish I would have done is let me mother teach me the piano.  (Maybe one day down the road.)      While growing up my sister was a little bit country and a lot rock and roll.  She had the Bee Gee's Gold album.  I remember listening to all sorts of music with my sister and from many different genres.  My parents were old school country.  Great artist such as Hank Williams Sr, Patsy Cline and even Don Williams.  They never cared for the newer country. ...

     Country Music has a soul.  It speaks to each of us and usually sends a powerful message.  The song by Robert Earl Keen has always been a favorite of mine.  The other day my dad and I did something that I could not have imagined.  We packed up our cattle trailer with the show equipment for the last time.      Almost a year ago my nephews attended their last cattle show.  Dad and I made the decision that we would take a break from raising cattle.  Back in the fall Dad and I decided we would sell our trailer.  The way we look at it is, if we have the money to get back into cattle. We will have the money to get another trailer.      I posted a couple of ads online to see what kind of nibbles we would get on the trailer.  Surprisingly we did not have a lot of people rushing to ask about it.  Dad and I are pretty patient people.  We have not been in a hurry to sell the trailer, we were not ...

     Recently I went to a small West Texas town for a family funeral.  For me funerals are something you go to for the loved ones left behind.  Every funeral is different however follow the same pattern.  Normally they are 3 days after the passing of the individual, not usually on Sundays, and normally around 2 PM.         In recent years it's become popular to show a slide show of photos of the loved one and their family.  It is a great way to remember the life of the loved one that has gone on.  It's tough though for the family members to sort through those pictures to get the slide show ready.   There are so many memories that come from those photos.  A lot of them are ones we have not thought of in ages.  It's a good way to say goodbye.        There are a number of observations I made from this Small West Texas Town.  I am going to share these to laugh and enjoy as much as...

     Below is a list of items that I received in an Email from one of my Mom's cousins.  He is always a pleasure to converse with in emails.   This list put a smile on my face.   The Best Sermons are Lived, Not Preached 1. Today, I interviewed my grandmother for part of a research paper I'm working on for my Psychology class. When I asked her to define success in her own words, she said, "Success is when you look back at your life and the memories make you smile."  2. Today, I asked my mentor - a very successful business man in his 70's – what his top 3 tips are for success. He smiled and said, "Read something no one else is reading, think something no one else is thinking, and do something no one else is doing."  3. Today, after a 72 hour shift at the fire station, a woman ran up to me at the grocery store and gave me a hug. When I tensed up, she realized I didn't recognize her. She let go with tears of joy in her eyes ...