Winds of Change

As I drove North to Montana I wondered what life had become in the 5 years removed from Bozeman and Big Sky life.

Driving through Idaho it made me think that 6 hours from Utah and I would be in a land of Cattle, Horses, Farmland and Construction.

I wasn’t really ready nor did I expect to fit in as my current life is sooo much different than when I was here before.

I drove the Gallatin Canyon toward Big Sky and it’s one of God’s creations I could absolutely never get enough of. The winding river and the views of the canyons that it carved through are unparalleled if you ask me.

Pulled into Pattersons Ranch and he truly has the life here. The acreage and the Ranch of 3BarP really is something out of a storybook.

It was good seeing him. Having recently suffered a stroke I wanted to help in anyway I could and to stay out the ranch hands way. The Ranch hand…Cole. Jamys 21 yr old son.

Cole had really grown up and seeing him a whole bunch more responsible and finding his own way was refreshing. Not being a Lokal to Bozeman I just watched and reminisced about my young life growing up on the farm. The way they live here is a bit busier and for me that don’t suit my lifestyle. I prefer taking time to smell the cowshit and the smell of fresh cut hay and alfalfa.

A few years ago I realized the most important thing in life was…ME. Some people determine work, kids, material things or even everyone besides themselves important. In my eyes it couldnt be anymore backwards.

You see…I had lunch with a good friend Hans at the Spectator. A bar and grill and what looked like a place filled with good ol’ right wing, gun toting, tobbaco chewing/spitting…Well…Montana Folk.

While eating with Hans he asked me about my life and I mentioned to him how I had found taking care of myself was way more important than taking care of anyone else. He said his work had asked him to take a few things and label them of importance from 1-6. He said his work was most important. I looked at him in amazement and knew this was not the case. His two sons meant more to him than anytjing else and even that was a bit off from what was important.

Hans rides dirt bikes and hangs with his two young boys daily…he spends as much time with them as he can. This makes me smile and I wish I had the relationship he has with his kids.

He asked me why work wasn’t the most important thing…and my simple answer was his work can replace him…his kids cannot. Yes his kids are important and he takes them as an important part of his daily life but…in simple terms his kids value him more than he values himself. This is where we can learn from the young. If a young child can determine who is the most value why can’t we see that in ourselves?

I enjoyed spending time with Dan and listening to how much his daughter had grown and could see that his family means the world to him. This is so important and it’s a staple, but without Dan what would Melissa and Keegan be. They would carry on but they could never replace him.

A few examples of why we really need to change our way of thinking and take ourselves as the most important thing in life. Self care is vital.

I’m not saying that we should make it ALL ABOUT Ourselves but it should be first and taken seriously.

As I rode my bike through parts of Montana I enjoyed the fresh air which had eluded me for 5 years. I loved the landscape and the ability to look at life with me in it. I’m not 100% sure of where I will go next.

My Dad has asked maybe to take him to Oregon and I would love to spend a week with him doing so. Him in the seat next to me just talking about what’s important to one another. Dad doesn’t have much time left and I would love to hear why he chose the things he did through life.

He told me when I visited with him last he wanted to travel. I asked him…”What the hell ya waiting for?”

The Winds of Change are upon us. What changes will you make to ensure those that surround you get to enjoy you as long as possible.

My changes still start with what’s important to me. Then…I will see where I need to insert myself and enjoy being Lokal to a place I am indeed Not A Lokal. Only then will my effort of self care be valued.