Men, Work, Pride

Here we will meet men and women who strive to embrace the cowboy code. We’ll engage with farmers, ranchers, knife makers, saddle makers, and other individuals deeply connected to the earth, seeking their perspectives, wisdom, and reasoning. Discovering the essence of their work and their motivations will shed light on our own personal challenges in today’s world, and how cowboy logic can guide our individual paths. Visit https://thatscowboylogic.com/ for more insightful content.

In this age of political correctness, some of these ideas may prove difficult to swallow. Ya see…cowboys are not known for their adherence to political correctness; in fact, they seldom conform to it. However, while maintaining our cowboy manners, we strive to avoid intentional offense and deceit. We embrace the concept that differences are akin to different sides of a coin. We maintain our sense of humor and are not afraid to laugh at ourselves. We also make an effort to include cowgirls in our narrative. Nonetheless, we refrain from embracing gender neutrality to the extreme extent that some do today, as it tends to divert attention from the story. We acknowledge that men and women have inherent differences in their perspectives. So, if you possess the self-confidence, take a step back, and discover who you truly are…and stay off my horse.

I tried to have men, work, and pride as separate topics but it was like trying to separate the meatballs, pasta, and sauce from spaghetti. If you separate the ingredients it’s no longer spaghetti. What defines a cowboy is his work, and his pride in doing a job well. His logic comes from the experience in doing the work.

Cowboy pride is not boastfulness. One of the reasons hard work is enjoyable is the satisfaction one receives when the work is done well. Cowboy pride is pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself, even by oneself. Pride in one’s work means doing a job well, even if no one is looking or will notice, such as finishing all of the sides of a piece of furniture or picture frame, although one side will be against the wall where no one will see it. It is not the pride as defined by Dante: “love of self, perverted to hatred and contempt for one’s neighbor.” Cowboy pride has nothing to do with anyone else.

Although good work is often appreciated and admired by others, pride in one’s work means doing the job well even if it is never seen by others. Seeking admiration, for admiration’s sake, is not pride and that vanity has been the downfall of people and nations.