You might find it interesting that one of my favorite bands is Switchfoot--a Christian Rock Band! My absolute favorite song is "This is Your Life." I have it on my iPod and I often listen to Switchfoot songs for inspiration to clean house, lift my spirits or just to relax. Today I had my iPod tuned to my Switchfoot songs while I was working with cattle.
I had 25 heifers sorted off and standing waiting their turn to walk through the chute. I am breeding them to calve early next February. For more information about breeding season and artificial insemination of cattle, see my post "Artificial" Breeding Cows is very Natural! Today was windy with spotty rain--and I don't just mean a bit breezy. It was sustained winds of 30 mph, and gusts of 45 miles! I was out there by myself, trying to get the heifers to go where I wanted them to go and they would rather turn their behinds to the wind and wait out the storm. I was hot, dirty, tired and wondered how I was going to get all the work done by myself in time for a conference call I had later in the afternoon. Then my favorite Switchfoot song came on. The first part always makes me smile: "Yesterday is a wrinkle in your forehead." If you're not nearly 45 like me, you might not find that funny. It goes on to the chorus.... "This is your life...are you who you want to be? This is your life...is it everything you dreamed that it would be,when the world was younger and you had everything to lose...."
Okay, here it is with the lyrics so you can read them yourself!
It reminded me that I have chosen this life. It isn't always easy...sometimes the weather ruins the fun, sometimes the cattle don't want to go where I need them to be, and sometimes I'm just in such a rush that I forget to have fun. But I do love my life! I do not know anything else I'd rather be doing. I always wanted to be a rancher!
There isn't an official music video for my favorite song on YouTube, but there are a number of versions done by fans. Check them out and see if you like this song as much as I do.
Well... I'm headed out to AI our cows later today so I'm glad I stumbled upon your post this morning!! You're right... I am EXACTLY where I want to be and couldn't be any happier or feel more blessed! It's always good to stop and remember how lucky we are! Thanks for sharing Debbie!
ReplyDeleteJanet, you have to be honest...some days you do wonder!! I did in the wind yesterday! I thought a desk job would have been awesome!
DeleteAs I as reading your response I was laughing to myself because I have been hoping for wind the past few days. We turned all the windmills on in our summer pastures over the weekend and are waiting for them to fill the tanks with fresh water so we can start turing out to grass!!!
DeleteLOVE that song! Thanks for sharing - hope some who haven't seen/heard it before watch and enjoy. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one who likes Christian music (although sometimes it feels that way). Great way to begin the day.
ReplyDeleteMy kids turned me on to Switchfoot a few years ago, and I just love them!! Whenever I need a bit more energy, I jam to them on my iPod!
DeleteI'll be downloading that song on my I-touch first chance I get. I'll be forty this year and soon to be divorced. I can tell you I have NOT been the person I want to be. City girl on the outside, country girl in my roots I'm dying for a change. Just the thought of leaving the superficial city life behind and settling into a country lifestyle has my blood pumping hard. I'd pick a hard day of labor intensive work out in the country over a desk job any day of the week and twice on Sundays. I wonder if forty too late to get into ranching? You looking for help?:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that your life isn't what you had planned it to be, but I don't think it it too late to make it what you want! The country life is absolutely what makes me happy. I enjoy cities--for a bit--but not to live in. Thank goodness there are different kinds of people who like to live in different places!! Good luck to you!
DeleteThanks I needed that reminder. We got almost 3 in of rain (much needed and trying very hard not to complain about it) on Friday and we were sorting cattle Sat am to brand and work calves in 6 inches of mud. We are so lucky and blessed to have a nice big shed to work the calves in but getting them sorted off and in there took an extra hour. I wouldn't trade my muddy cloths for anything in the world!!
ReplyDeleteThe physicality of our job sometimes makes me question why the heck we do it....then I watch the sun set on a pasture full of fat, lazy cows and calves running with their tails in the air and I know I am doing exactly what I wanted to do!
DeleteGreat post! Really made me think about somethings...and coming from a desk job...their are more pretty days than crummy ones. I cannot tell you how many times I wished I could be outside working!!!!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, no matter the weather, I am happier outside! :)
DeleteAs a college student, I feel like that question is always in the back of my mind. Sometimes I have to step back and look at the bigger picture to remind myself that I might not be where I want to be now but college is getting me to that place! Thank you for reminding me to look ahead so I can be who I want to be!
ReplyDelete-Nicole
Where the Blacktop Begins
Nicole, I totally understand being anxious to get out and "DO" what it is you are wanting to do...and "BE" who you want to be. But don't forget to enjoy college. Take some classes that get you out of your comfort zone...meet people you would never have met any other way. This is such a great time in your life, don't forget to enjoy it too...don't just use it to get to where you want to be! I loved college...it shaped me into the person I am today. :) Good Luck!!
DeleteThat was a great post!
ReplyDeleteYes, love who I am, and am SO glad the Lord has us right out here ranching, we wouldn't want it any other way!!
Times aren't always easy. and we will always have those hard times, but it's still tons of fun!!
:)
As a college student, I feel like that question is always in the back of my mind. Sometimes I have to step back and look at the bigger picture to remind myself that I might not be where I want to be now but college is getting me to that place! Thank you for reminding me to look ahead so I can be who I want to be!
ReplyDelete-Nicole
Where the Blacktop Begins
hello debbie, i'm 47 and where i want to be. but we lived in kansas for a while, and the winds are strong! i remember the houses being built in new neighborhoods would have to be cleaned because the grass hadn't grown yet, and the wind blew the dirt onto them. happy to find your blog!
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