The Country

We live in a most fabulous and beautiful land.

I have had the pleasure and fortune to travel a lot of it and I am always in awe of its grandeur and beauty. Although the cities can also be awe-inspiring, a tribute to the creativeness of man, I’ve become to prefer the country, with its wildlife, flora, quietness, and night skies.

I’ve also come to appreciate the people that live in the country. Because of their closeness to nature, and distance from their neighbors and towns, they have been able to maintain a self-reliance. They first look to the end of their own arm for a helping hand. They have worked hard in the face of adversity brought to them by nature to maintain a living for themselves and their families. Their success has instilled the self confidence that they can face the adversities of daily living, which provides an optimism for the future and develops the courage to face what comes their way. Of course there are times when one just can’t do it by themselves, so they reach out to families and friends.

So be it the need to borrow a tool, harvest the crop, drive the cattle, or just a drink of water one sometimes needs the assistance from someone else. When this assistance is provided willingly, without selfishness, then a friendship develops and a sense of duty or obligation to put one’s personal needs aside to help each other is generated. This is different than payment, this sense of responsibility for one another is generated from kindness and extends beyond a tit for tat. To be treated fairly, and without selflessness, develops a loyalty that encourages one to provide assistance or even defense of the other. If this relationship is earnest, and as it develops and evolves through circumstance, then mutual respect is cultivated. This sense of duty, loyalty, and respect can extend itself beyond the individual, to the family, community, or the country.

This style of living develops these traits and their truths become self-evident. This is why for many years the cowboy code was never written down, it didn’t have to be. It’s just logical!

Unfortunately, life, and this country, are not always grand. Some people are selfish, greedy, and cruel. Dealing with these people regularly can make one cynical, pessimistic, cowardly, and violent. My experience has led me to believe our country has lost its way. That men, collectively our country, through isolation, a sensationalist media, and acceptance of low standards and bad manners is generating a country of gluttony, frivolity, and the concept that might makes right.

But I’m optimistic, good people, like cream, eventually rise to the top. What is needed is inspiration and inspiration leads to revelation. Like the country churches, occasionally one just needs a good old revival to get things back on track.

So this category and it’s subcategories will address our country, the good and the bad, the things to celebrate, and the things that need fix’n. Hopefully it will aid to inspire.