#NeverForgetWhoWasThere

by Randy Ratliff

One of those moments I can’t get out of my head was when the Chiefs and Bengals football teams were playing for the AFC championship. Patrick Mahomes was running the ball and an opposing team member aggressively pushed him out of bounds, which gave extra yardage for the Chiefs to get closer and then kick a field goal. That one push, under extreme pressure, became the catalyst that enabled the Chiefs to inevitably win the game. The picture shown here was the Bengals player on the bench realizing what he had just done with his one and only teammate there to comfort him when everyone else was gone. Wow, what a moment that was to watch and experience, I can only imagine what his feelings were at that time knowing the “push” was something that changed the outcome of the game.

When I think about the scenarios for the cattle business we are submerged in—whether you are at a competitive cattle show or the lead point person at an important sale—one can certainly relate to that experience. No matter if you come out a winner or not, we’ve all been the person who needed support, and every day we are presented with ways to show up and be that person for someone else. I am certainly living proof that the result of a team effort is far better than doing something alone. The synergy with each other and what is created out of that is what keeps our spirits and the business going. I appreciate the truth in these words:

“When I was younger, I was looking for this magic meaning of life. It’s very simple now. Making the lives of others better, doing something of lasting value. That’s the meaning of life, it’s that simple.”

~ Temple Grandin

It’s easy to be the person there to lend support when everything is going well. But the life-changing moments happen when someone shows up and they didn’t have to, just when you need it most – friends who become like family. No matter if thousands are watching on the football field or one person needs a hand behind the scenes, we can all do something of lasting value.

One of the most amazing things I see in the Limousin business is that when people are down and need a helping hand, this wonderful breed of cattle is always there to help. That is true leadership and friendship. I, like so many others, take a lot of pride in knowing that the Limousin breed of people is a family and we will never, ever forget who was there.

#NeverForgetWhoWasThere