These days, there’s a lot on the minds of most Americans.
Rising food and gas prices.
Mortgage foreclosures.
Restricted access to health care.
The sinking realization that 401k’s have turned into 201k’s.
Affordable education for our kids.
Neutralizing corrupt politicians (and all the other greedy thieves) who are bankrupting this country.
No question about it, these days there’s a lot on the mind of most Americans.
But for one tiny subsection of the population; one that makes its’ living on the backs of horses ranching and roaming the plains of the central United States, life is pretty much the same as it always was.
As this cowboy climbed onto the back of a seriously agitated saddle bronc, I was suddenly reminded that, for this young man, life wasn’t 10 years in the future; there weren’t a million enemies; the rules of the game didn’t change in the blink of an eye based on the whims of some fat guy in a blue suit.
All that mattered was the here and now.
One rider; one horse; eight seconds–the great battle between man and beast governed by rules of engagement that haven’t changed in 100 years.
And as challenging as this cowboy’s encounter was going to be—if I’m honest with myself–I’d sure as hell pick his way of life over mine every single time.
Here’s the thing.
Each of us has a speed and rhythm to our lives.
In the push and shove of everyday life in the city, the pace is grueling, relentless; toxic. In the speed of life on the open plains, the work is hard and sometimes unforgiving but the living is simple, transparent; satisfying.
And all that matters is the here and now.
The speed of life, Eddyville, NE
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