ME

We are so much harsher on ourselves than we ever are on other people. To me, that says we are capable of loving others even with their faults, but we never give ourselves the benefit of the doubt. When you constantly are concerned about what others think of you, you have just put yourself in the prison of “I am never enough, or worthy, or smart, or physically beautiful.”

We condemn ourselves without ever giving ourselves the GRACE of just being okay with our actions, or words, or form. We usually give that GRACE to others without thinking because that is truly how we would want to be treated. We are asking to be understood not only by others but by our own souls. I suggest we start to love ourselves as we freely love others.

If you are not criticizing others, then don’t do that to yourself. Give yourself the same forgiveness you give others and be gentle. Give up second-guessing what someone might think of you. Develop your own level of confidence that allows you to be authentically you.

At this point in my game of life, I am pretty much me. I don’t need to change myself to please others. I love them as they are and when you put out the energy of acceptance, you receive it in return. Treat your own little ego with as much compassion as you give to others. See how that changes your experience of life.

I have come to know that source, or GOD, loves me as I am and worrying about the parts of me that are not accepted by others is just a message for them to look at where they don’t love themselves. Step out of judgment of yourself and others. Move into the acceptance of self and that gift will surround you with those that are also self-accepting.

It is wonderful to be around people who are comfortable with who they are. They are happy in their own skin. It is easy to love ourselves and others when we choose to accept who we are. Let go of all the projections the world says are important; your heart knows what is important to you. Be that, and life will flow joyfully.

Rid yourself of past emotions that keep you trapped in old patterns. You are not a victim of anyone’s thoughts but your own. Declare, “This is who I love to be!” and become that person. You are only stuck if you make no effort to change. To the new you. Many blessings, Dove

The season was late fall and they were finishing up on a contract with the Forest Service. Fred was leading a string of four pack horses. He was riding a mare who was known to be, let’s just say, a little on the rank side. All the hands called the mare “Peterson,” and then would chuckle a little. I never learned the connection but could only assume she was named after someone with a nasty disposition.

Fred was about 45 minutes away from camp when Mother Nature called. He climbed down and was about to take care of business when Peterson decided to kick in his direction. Fred couldn’t get out of the way. He said he felt his femur snap.

It was getting close to dark and the temperature was already below freezing. Fred realized the seriousness of his situation and immediately tied a tree limb to his leg for a splint. He contemplated building a fire and staying put, but wasn’t sure if he would be able to crawl around to collect firewood.

Fred said he hopped on his good leg over to Peterson, grabbed the saddle horn with his left hand and the back of the saddle with his right and pulled himself up on the saddle. (Try doing that next time you climb on your horse. It takes incredible upper-body strength.) Fred said he almost passed out from pain when he swung his leg over the saddle.

He grabbed the pack horse’s lead rope and headed for camp. By now it was darker than the inside of a cat. So Fred gave Peterson her head, knowing she would take them back to camp.

Fred said it seemed like hours, but it was only a few minutes when Jack, holding a flashlight, came riding up on Shortcut, a bay he’d ridden for years. Fred knew if anyone came to find him it would be Jack. Jack fired three emergency shots in the air with his .308 rifle. Other workers came running with lanterns and flashlights to help Fred get back to camp. A makeshift ambulance in the backseat of a car provided a bumpy ride to the hospital. No Life Flight.

All of this in a cowboy’s day. He didn’t ride off into the sunset, which is so romantically portrayed on television.

Fred once again healed over and was back in the saddle, leading a pack string the next year. He wasn’t riding Peterson, as she wasn’t available to ride anymore, but was doing a great job of gluing papers together.

Fred passed away years ago. The world lost a true cowboy. In the end, did he get to ride off into the sunset? I just want to say, if he did, he darned well earned it.

Bryce Angell - The outdoors has always been a large part of my life. My father was an outfitter and guide for 35 years and I was there to shoe and care for the horses and help him do the cooking. We took many great trips into the Yellowstone area. Even now that I’m older, we still ride into the Tetons, Yellowstone and surrounding areas. My poems are mostly of personal experience. I am now retired and enjoying life to the fullest. I plan to do more riding and writing.