Man on the Moon

              Lately I have had the opportunity to travel a lot and it just so happens I have spent some time here and there on the road after dark. Recently, as I was driving back to Manhattan one evening, I noticed the full moon in the sky and thought about how beautiful it is. With my mind wondering off, like it does best, I begin to think about Neil Armstrong being the first man to step foot on the moon. What an honor this must have been for him. The moon that we see in the sky every single night, he was able to leave his footprints on. Although others have left theirs as well, he was the first, the first person in the world to step onto the moon. How incredible that day in July of 1969 must have been!

 

 

                Neil Armstrong was a pioneer. He represented the entire human race. The really interesting thing is not that he was the first to reach a destination or he got the opportunity to represent millions of people, but instead, how he represented. When he landed on the moon there were many things he could have said and did. He could have said, “This step is for the world and this giant leap is for Neil.” He also could have ran around doing flips and cartwheels and then said, “Oh and by the way, this step is for man.” However he did none of that. In his firsts steps he said, “One small step for man and one giant leap for mankind.” The fact that he used his first steps for the symbolism he created, shows how thankful and honored he was. With the words chosen, he showed selflessness. It was incredibly humble of him to credit everyone and not keep all the glory for himself. The way that Neil Armstrong represented all of mankind on that day truly was admirable.

 

 

                Thinking of this, it is easy to reflect back on our own lives and ask ourselves a few questions. How are we representing? Are my words and actions pleasing and admirable to others? If I was in Neil Armstrong’s shoes, what would my words have been? You see, everyone represents something. The real question is, are we representing in a noble way; one that is humble and honorable? If you would like to join me in setting a new goal, it is to represent the way Neil Armstrong did. He was a very respectable man and there is a good lesson to be learned from him. 

Don't Fight the Bottle

For the last six weeks, I have had the opportunity to work and the KSU Dairy Unit and I absolutely love it. Being outside, working with cows makes me feel alive in some strange way. I spend a lot of my time there taking care of the calves, which is more work than it seems. Each day you have to pick up their feed buckets, record how much they ate, determine what to feed them that day, wash their buckets and then put them back out to each calf. Twice a day we bottle feed them and every other day we put fresh hay in each of their individual hutches. 

A couple days ago I was working with one of the new born calves, trying to teach it how to drink from a bottle, when I realized that it is A LOT of work to make sure these small animals grow up healthy. It takes so much time devoted by workers and more patients than you think you have when that baby calf is pushing against you and fighting the bottle. This is kind of embarrassing, but that day I was incredibly frustrated and I started to yell at the calf. I said, “Quit fighting me! Don’t you know that you need this and it is going to help you!”

In that very instance I had a thought. In a way, we are all just baby calves. We all have workers that invest in us and devote so much of their time to us. Why? To make sure that we, the small animals, grow up “healthy.” So many times we fight the person that is trying to teach us or give us something we need. I don’t know why this is our immediate reaction, maybe it is just our nature. What I do know is if those calves didn’t get that milk every day, they wouldn’t be able to fully grow up into what they can be.

As we grow older we will always have someone investing in us. It may not be in the same way or at the same rate, but we will have someone. My challenge to you is next time you have a parent, advisor, friend, teacher, coach or mentor listen to you and give you advice, don’t immediately shut them down, but instead keep an open mind and thank them for all they do for you. Believe it or not, there are more people than you think out there that want to see you succeed. Be thankful that you have them and always think twice before you fight the bottle.

Are Chameleons bad?

Are Chameleons bad?

                Over Christmas break I spent a lot of time with one of my really good friends as we caught up on each other’s lives. After telling me new things in his life, I told him stories from school, new friends I made and different programs I was involved in. We then started talking about my future plans, which is not my favorite subject for the time being. You see, I have been having a lot of trouble with making decisions lately. When I am faced with a choice I like to take all things into account and one aspect that really has a tremendous amount of pull is my relationships with other people. So, as I am telling my friend about two awesome opportunities I have to choose between, I am also expressing my mixed feelings. The majority of these mixed feelings come from how my relationships with close friends will change based on my decision. As we are deep into this conversation and my stress level is at an all-time high, my friend stops me and says, “Kayla, the reason you are having so much trouble with this decision is because you have such a wide variety of friends and that is because you have multiple personalities. You are a chameleon and you change with the group of people you are around.” Ok just to give you some insight, the decision I have to make involves me doing two COMPLETELY different things. Therefore, the types of people my decision will affect are from opposite ends of the spectrum. So my friend had a point. He is right when he says I have a wide variety of friends and he’s right when he says that I change around different people. As much as I hate to admit it, I am a chameleon, but is that necessarily a bad thing? I think chameleons get such a bad reputation when really it just might be a good thing. I mean, who decided it was a bad thing to switch your topic of conversation as you switch from friend to friend. Let’s be real. Do you think my very preppy girl friends who love to shop really want to hear about how I got to pull a calf this morning? No. However, that doesn’t mean I won’t throw some ag facts at them every once in a while. What about my guy friends? Do you really think they care about how I bought a new dress last week that was 40% off? That’s probably a no as well. So yes, I may change conversations with friends, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Being that this was one of my closest friends that told me I was a chameleon, I really started putting more thought into this. I looked for other things I changed around certain people. Clothes. Yes I changed my style a little bit, but not because of the people, but more so the settings I was in with those people. I am not going to wear my coveralls and mud boots to work out in, my cut off and shorts to church and my dress out to the farm. That is ridiculous; therefore I have to change out fits around different people. Finally, the last way I realized I change around people is how I act. This is probably the most distinct difference, because around one group of people I am incredibly loud and funny and around another group I am much more reserved.  The difference is the type of people I am with. If I am with very professional people having dinner, I am more composed however; if I am with my best friend in private I will cut up, make jokes and be crazy loud. All in all, I have realized that I am a complete chameleon, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I see it as knowing when to have fun and knowing when to do business. I’m not trying to fit in and be parts of groups I don’t belong in. I am just expressing every side of myself. Being a very well-rounded individual I have a lot of different dimensions to me. I don’t come in just one style, topic or demeanor. I am changing and growing on a daily basis which means the complexity of who I am is growing as well. Being myself is so much more than one day, one setting, one outfit or one conversation topic. Therefore I am proud to say that I am a chameleon and I do not see anything wrong with it.

The Weather Report

What do you think of when you think of Kansas? The Wizard of Oz? Home on the Range? Kansas State University? Sometimes it is thought of as the Sunflower State, the home of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Amelia Earhart, or the location of the first-ever Pizza Hut. Now all of these are true, but one thing I think of most when I think of Kansas…. is the CRAZY WEATHER! You know how one day it can be 70 degrees outside with the sun shining and the next day it is snowing, or the days when the wind is blowing 30 miles an hour in the morning, but by evening not a single leaf is moving. The weather cannot only be bizarre at times, but it can teach us life lessons as well.

1. Be ready for anything.

The weather in Kansas, as we know, changes constantly; this is the same for our life. One day, everything may be going exactly your way and the next day it may seem like everything has fallen all down hill.

If you are traveling in Kansas, most likely you have an umbrella, an ice scraper, gloves, sandals, and sunscreen all packed to go, because you never know what the weather may turn into. Instead of trying to plan for the ‘expected forecast,’ be prepared for anything and be ready to adapt with whatever is thrown at you throughout life. Like the common phrase goes, expect the unexpected.

2. We all have our rainy days.

Then there are those days that are forecasted as the perfect day, but when you wake up in the morning the rain begins to pour. Things don’t turn out like you want them to, which we often call a bad hair day. These days happen to everyone, don’t fret or worry about it. Another day will come and life will go on. Just as Annie in the musical says, “The sun”ll come out tomorrow; Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun!”

3. We must overcome what’s holding us back.

Have you ever been in one of those moments when you’re walking against the wind, but you feel like your moving backwards and not forward? The wind in Kansas is common and is often an obstacle between you and your destination. Although the wind may be a hindrance, it is nothing you cannot compete with. We have to fight through whatever is keeping us from reaching our dreams.

4. Be cautious not to slip.

There are days that it may begin to freeze and ice covers the ground. Sometimes we don’t even see the ice, so we have to be very careful where we step in assurance that we do not fall. In life, every day, we have to make decisions that decide the direction that we go. Each decision is a step that we make; if we take the wrong step, it’s possible we will begin to slip.

5. Be careful not to get caught up in a whirlwind.

One of the scariest parts about Kansas’s weather, for me, are the tornadoes. When I was younger, I hated having to go to the basement in fear that when I returned my home would be gone. These rotating columns whirling at high speeds are very frightening. They can be similar to our daily life when things begin to pile up. More often than not, we get too caught up in trying to finish everything on our to-do list instead of enjoying life for what it is.

It’s pretty remarkable what we can learn from a part of our everyday life. We are often given a forecast to prepare us for the upcoming weather, but even the weather can prepare us for the rest of our life. The highest temperature in Kansas has been 121 degrees and the lowest was a -40. It averages 59 tornadoes a year and once had 30 inches of snow in just one day. Yes, our weather is crazy, but what is really unique are the lessons we can learn.

We Believe

We Believe

A little less than a year ago, I along with my other Wilson teammates, were proudly wearing our purple and white uniforms as we walked into the Gross Coliseum at Fort Hays State University. Just 20 minutes later we were playing in the state basketball tournament against the #1 1A Division 2 ranked team in the state. The bleachers behind us were filled with our fans colored in purple as we took to the court all that we had done in preparation for the game.

Before we knew it we heard the buzzer and looking up to the scoreboard; we were tied 38 to 38. During overtime we kept our heads up, working as a team, but unfortunately we were defeated 59-52. What I remember most, though, was gathering in the middle of the court after the game, as a team. Even though we had tears in our eyes and our hearts were broken, we managed to declare two simple words that kept us going throughout the season, ‘We Believe.’

The next day, while we were not playing for the state championship game, we still laced up our shoes, gave each other a pat on the back, went out to play our game of basketball, and received the honor of 3^rd place.

Once again and for my last time, we shouted out those two words, ‘We Believe.”

To believe is to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reality of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

As a team, through the season and even the off-season we lived by this motto. We knew that we had to work hard; we trusted we would learn from our mistakes and we had confidence that anything was possible.

We all have strong beliefs as a teammate, a competitor, a student, an employee, AND even as an FFA member and agriculturalist.

At the 3rd National Convention, our organization adopted the words of E.M Tiffany, who summarized our beliefs as an organization, to become the FFA creed. Its latest revisions were at the 63rd Convention. For many years and years to come, members of our organization recite these words...

I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

As a freshman I memorized and presented these words at our District speech competition. But I have continued to have confidence in these words throughout high school and throughout my life. These words guide us as we continue to take part in feeding and clothing the world.

Through tough times and good times, in whatever it is, we always must believe.

Less than a month ago, I was back on the court, but this time as a Wilson Alumni. It was different, to play against my own teammates and to no longer wear a purple and white uniform, but my motto was still the same.

I believe that I have the potential to make an impact and to make a difference as a teammate, as an agriculture advocate, and in all that I do.

Continue to Believe!

Finding Time

Finding Time

"When I start my day by reflecting on all the things I have to be grateful for,

I’ll have a much more rewarding day."

~Russell Simmons

Back in elementary school, in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, our class would always get excited whenever our teachers' Mrs. Young and Mrs. Thielen would say just one word. READ-A-THON! So it may not be found in the dictionary, but a read-a-thon really just means that instead of having multiple lessons during the school day we just got to read from the beginning bell to the end. When we heard we were going to have a read-a-thon, we would get up and cheer. The morning of our read-a-thon, we would each come to school with our pillows under our arms, our blanket dragging across the floor, bookbags on our back, and our hands full of capri sun juice packs, candy, cookies, and crackers. We would even carry along a little money to purchase snacks at the vending machines. (As you can imagine, this was our cooks least favorite day, beacuse we were always too full to eat our food during lunchtime.) Once we got in the classroom we called out our spot and spread our blankets out, sometimes making forts or laying under the desks. Then it was finally time to lay down, eat our snacks, and of course, the main purpose of the day, start reading.

Our teachers would set a day just for us to read. This was a great opportunity for us to actually have some time to read a book and we couldn’t use the time to do anything else. In high school, though, we never heard the word read-a-thon. It was now our responsibility to always read on our own time.
Not only is reading something we must find time to do, but also reflecting; reflecting upon your life. We are not just given a whole day to reflect about what has happened and why it may have happened like reading back in elementary school. Now, we actually have to take time and reflect.

One of my favorite ways to reflect over the summer was taking a walk up and down my driveway while the sun set. Just taking some time to realize what happened that day, being thankful for the gifts that I had, and how I could be an even better person the next day. As the summer ended and college began, it got tough to find time to reflect but I realized there are many opportunities during our day to reflect…

* While Driving
* By writing in a Journal
* Chatting with a friend you can trust or who will challenge you.
* During daily chores like washing the dishes, folding clothes or cooking supper.
* Taking a Walk
* Listening to Music
* and so many more- it just depends on you!

As the holidays are here, we are usually reminded to be thankful for what we have; but truly it is every day, in all that we do, that we should show that gratitude and reflect upon our days. This day though, is the perfect day to start. This evening just take three minutes. THREE minutes before you fall asleep or while you drive or while you cook and think of what you have accomplished, some challenges you faced, how you acted and what you want to carry on to the next day and what you would rather change.

I know life goes quickly and we don’t think we have time or we need to reflect, but the only way to make us better in what we do and how we live is to learn from mistakes, to discover our gifts and talents, and to realize who we are supposed to be. A whole day is not given to us to reflect like read-a-thons in elementary school, so it is up to us to make that time.

"Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to personal growth."

~Author Unknown

Happy Irthday!

Happy Irthday!

Sitting in their car seat I used to read them books, they rode tricycles around the farm, and I often heard them yell “Ustine, Ustine, Come play with me!”

Now my two younger brothers are playing football, heading to school every day, doing their chores at night, and writing their own stories.

It's official...my little brothers are growing up! In fact (not only are they almost as tall as me), Ethan turned 11 and Aaron turned 13 (a teen) just a few days ago! This definitely deserved a celebration! So my older brother and I went home over the long weekend. On Sunday, we cleaned the kitchen and the living room, had the cake, the candles, the presents (Ethan’s favorite), and the games all ready! As I began to place the candles on the cake, I came to discover one HUGE problem.

See these candles were not ordinary candles, these candles were the letter candles and spelled out the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

I had just finished placing HAPPY on the top of the cake and as I began to put the next letter on, which as we all know was to be a B, I realized that the B candle had broke! AHHHHHHHH! I didn’t know what to do, it was almost time for the cake and we didn’t have the right candles. I became slightly frustrated and upset, how could the birthday party go right?

Soon my brothers came in the kitchen, saw what was wrong, and began to laugh. I realized that their day would not be even slightly a bit ruined if their cake was missing a candle. In fact, it was even better because now instead of saying they had a Birthday cake, THEY had an IRTHDAY cake (not many people get to say that). The evening went on with the traditional making a wish and blowing out the candles, opening of the presents, and card games of UNO and it was a fantastic IRTHDAY for them both.

Things are going to go wrong in our life, but there is no reason to fret or to worry. We’ve all heard before LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES and how true it is. You learn and you live on.

Sometimes we go about life worrying more than enjoying the gift of each and every day.

At times it may take the reminder of an 11 and 13 year old boy to help you see it too.

There may come a day that you get a flat tire, you miss your alarm, you lock your keys in the car, or you break a candle for a cake, but sometimes that’s what makes life interesting and as marvelous as it is… so HAPPY IRTHDAY to all of you!