Sunday, February 24, 2013

Keep Your Chin Up High


I think part of the reason we all of us feel so close here on Buckaroo Barbie, is because I am brutally honest with you. Whenever I sit down to write a post, I imagine drawing my chair up to yours and topping off our coffee cups. It’s as if we’re all friends, offering each other advice, encouragement or even just a shoulder to cry on. So with that in mind, I feel like we’re all friends.

If you remember the other day, I posted how a fellow Lyme warrior died. It really upset me and thanks to that and some other contributing factors like accidently eating some food with preservatives in it, I’ve been down sick on the couch the last few days.

But that’s not the part I’m crying about. Yesterday our neighbor called and said he had about 42 head to brand. I was so excited. Surely I’d be feeling better by Sunday morning! I woke up this morning and the room was spinning so wildly it put any carnival ride to shame.  My joints felt like they’d been beaten with a hammer and I was so weak that Adrian had to help me so I could just sit up in bed. Long story short, I didn’t go brand today. And I was really kind of bitter about it. I had been doing so well! Why did I have to get to feeling crappy NOW of all times????

The mums got me cozied up on the couch with my Roo dog and a cup of coffee and headed off to the neighbors to take pictures. That’s her passion and joy, just in case you were wondering. J And while she was gone I might have indulged in a few tears of feeling sorry for myself and anger and frustration in my stupid, weak body. Then, while scrolling through Facebook, a friend’s status stopped me in my tracks. It said,

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

I know my trials are nothing compared to what some people are being faced with right now, but when you’re faced with your own baggage, it can seem very big and overwhelming at times. And in all honesty, I felt very overwhelmed and sad today. I spent the day, twisted on the couch in pain while my body alternatively tried to spin me to sleep, or freeze me into submission. At one point I woke up from a nap, scrolled through my Instagram and ran across this quote from Chalene Johnson:

“The only thing we truly have control over is our attitude. Attitude is a habit. Attitude is a choice. Things could be much worse! Hey…you have so much to be grateful for! Be happy. Be optimistic. Be giving. Be kind. Be grateful. Be humble. Be thankful. Be loving. Be generous. Be patient. Be nice. Be open. Be forgiving. These things create the habit of an unshakeable optimistic, positive attitude!”

That quote was like a shock of cold water to my system. My dad has always told Adrian and me that the only thing we control is our attitude, and through experience I’ve found that to be true.

I chose to forget about that today, so when my reminder came thanks to Facebook and Instagram, I felt somewhat ashamed and thankful.

I felt ashamed that I had wasted so much time wallering around in self-pity, and thankful for the reminder that even if I can’t control how I feel, I can control how I react to my situation. And that right there, ladies and gentlemen, is true control.

So no matter what tomorrow brings me, whether it’s joint pain, whirling rooms and not being able to ride my horse, or boundless energy, cutting strings and loping circles on Albert, I’m going to be thankful and cheerful. I’m going to work my hardest with the allotted energy and resources I’ve been given so that when the end of the day draws near, I can look back and be proud of my Try and attitude.

My two favorites, my little sister and my Albert horse.

I hope this encourages you in some small way, because these reminders did my heart a whole world of good today.

xo xo Liz 

Photo Credit: Alison Brannan 


24 comments:

  1. There's no shame in wallowing and having a bad day now and then, we're human and it's healthy! But I'm glad you found some inspiration and didn't let it put you down for the count. I amire your strength and outlook. Feel better!

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    1. Thank you so much Cassi!! I agree, I think sometimes you've got to allow yourself to feel rotten for a bit before you change your attitude :) I definitely wallowed today! hehehehe Thanks so much for the encouragement!! :)

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  2. Oh Liz I'm sorry you were feeling poorly and didn't get to do something you love. I've had to do that many times. But glad you are so positive about it!
    Btw Jessie bussard posted that verse on facebook :)

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    1. Thanks Jenn! I'm actually feeling a little bit better this evening, whoop whoop! :)

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  3. Your post is just what I needed right now...even though I don't want to admit it. Get to feeling better!

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    1. hahahaha oh those are the worst!! I'm just the same way!! :) Thanks for reading and for the kind words! Hugs! :)

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  4. Attitude is definitely important in everything! I find that especially in a small community there are a lot of people who are more interested in seeing you fail and want to bring you down, its easy to get caught up in it. I struggle some days with keeping focused on my goals and driven when drowning out the downers gets exhausting and do the same thing wallowing feeling pittiful. But its usually someone driven and strong or a simple quote that gets me empowered again. Its a rough world out there..but being happy with who you are and what your blessed with is worth it all. Thanks for bein real girl. Oh ya, and hey its only feb branding season is just beginning!

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    1. Hehehehe ok, the awesomeness of this comment was overwhelming!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :) It all rings true, and it IS weird how small towns can get a weird mentality. THanks for taking the time to read and comment, hugs! :)

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  5. Be strong Liz. The world needs your positive attitude more than ever.

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  6. We all have those moments, Chalene Johnson has a way of getting through to me in mine too LOL. I've got my own going here and at least the latest also brings me much joy. We just sometimes have a small pity party, dust ourselves off and get back too it. *hugs* to you as this was a very inspiring post!

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    1. Thank you so much for the hugs! :) And I love it, another Chalene lover! :)

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  7. We all have those days. The most important thing i have found is that we find away to pick our selves up again. Your bravery and ability to bring yourself back around when you are down is inspiring and i look up to you for it. I hope you start feeling better soon and remember as far as the branding goes as long as there are cows and buckaroos there will always be another opportunity to stretch a rope and sit a good horse. Take care of yourself.

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    1. Thank you so much for the lovely comment Dan! I loved how you said, "There will always be another opportunity to stretch a rope and sit a good horse." Beautiful and thank you! :)

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  8. You are such an inspiration to us all Liz! And a reminder of how we can control our attitude. I too have some health issues. When I eat wrong, I pay dearly for it and I have pain and such and I get so angry and ask why me God and why did you make me that way......well one day I realized that I have no right questioning God why he made this way. He loves us completely and we were made in his image. You are truly an amazing young lady and a gift to us all!

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    1. The outpouring of love I have received since this post is overwhelming and I feel truly blessed!! Thank you so much! :)

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  9. You inspire me with each one of your posts, dear Liz. Thank you for being such a shining positive example for young and old alike, in all walks of life.

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    1. Thank you :) Thank you for taking the time to read and to comment. It means so much :)

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  10. Liz, after reading this I see what you meant by your comment of, " Needed this reminder this morning, thank you Jesse!"

    I'm so thankful God laid it on my heart to share that verse. I know what it can feel like to want to do something so badly but not be able to anymore. At times, the desire can eat you alive. The thing is, we have to remember that our journey is OURS, and ours alone, and God has an intended purpose for every challenge we encounter along the way, no matter how hard it is to believe. I think the Lord has amazing plans for your life. I've never met you, but I can say you inspire me with your honesty and constant drive to always look for the positive. Hang in there girl. Remember, life's just one bucking thing after another.

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    1. :) Truth, truth, truth to everything above. Thank you lady :)

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  11. Liz,I can relate to the pain and frustration you feel at times. My dad became legally blind when he was 49. No more making a living ahorseback, hunting, seeing the sunrise on the desert or witnessing the grandeur of the Sierras. No more seeing his wifes face or knowing what his grandchildren look like. He has endured long periods of bitterness, grief and depression. I recently had a long visit with him and I noticed he is undoubtedly happier. He told me something that has helped change his attitude. He said, "I can either be miserable and blind, or I can learn to live being blind." Along with a possitive attitude and faith in God's plan, he is enjoying being a coffee roaster and having a successful business. He is taking computer lessons, learning brail and is able to go on long distance walks with the help of Pam his guide dog. For sure, he will have many more ups and downs, just like you, me and everyone. We never know where our journeys will take us, just as long as we are armed with a "faith and steadfastness" that will lead us to Him!!
    fyi...since you appreciate fine coffee, check out Blind Dog Coffee in Gardnerville, NV!!!!

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    1. Wow, Katy thank you so much for sharing your dad's story with me. I am so sorry, what a difficult burden to bear and what an amazing attitude and example he is! Tell him thank you for me! And I will DEFINITELY check out his coffee, I'm a serious coffee freak! :)

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  12. Hi Liz! I'm sure you get tons of advice on how to help your health, but you never know...you sound open minded and sometimes we reach a point where we'll try anything to feel better! I have problems with joint pain too, ever since a bad vaccine reaction in the military. My Dr. put me on an anti inflammatory diet which has helped immensely, when I'm bad and fall off the wagon I feel like I'm 80 years old the next morning & I'm only 29 : ( ! It's not that hard, I just cheat sometimes...you basically cut out sugar, gluten, alcohol, soy, non-fresh tomato products, refined oils, dairy, and caffeine (this is the tough one for me). It's not forever, just for a couple months the first time, then when you have symptoms. It's easier for me if I write a list of what I CAN eat and focus on that. Someone also recommended 'The Body Ecology Diet' book by Donna Gates to me. I have no ties with it so this isn't an 'advertisement', but I can honestly say it has really helped me when I stuck with it. That's the kicker, sticking with it...it's MUCH harder than the anti-inflammatory diet. Anything that boosts up your immune system: probiotics, fermented foods, etc. are also helpful. You have a fantastic attitude about life, God Bless!!

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    1. Wow, thank you so much for all the information!! THis is awesome! Joint pain is the worse, I'm so sorry! I'm basically on an anti inflammatory diet but I hadn't heard of staying away from non-fresh tomato products!! And I'm still on caffeine, maybe I should check that out! Thanks for the advice and HUGS! :)

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