L-I-V-I-N the DrEaM

Livin’ the Dream

Imagine someone asking you, “What are you up to these days?” and you respond, “Oh, just livin’ the dream.” Does that scenario have a familiar ring to it? I recently mentioned to someone that perhaps they need a tattoo on their wrist that reads in big bold letters, L-I-V-I-N the DREAM. That way when they find themselves slapping their hand to their forehead, a sure and steady reminder of their grand life will never be out of reach.

Often when we answer a question with a phrase like “living the dream” we might just throw in a drop or two of facetiousness with it. However, what would happen if we actually started believing we were living a dream? I recently read that the United States ranks well below other industrialized countries in the areas of Math and Science. However, our students rank shockingly high in one particular category - self esteem. Whew, that is a relief! At least we can find great comfort in that our low intelligence will not damper our spirit and sense of self.

Now that we are armed with the knowledge of our greatest attributes we know just how to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. Since most of us are products of the United States Education System we can rule out that our intelligence will propel us forward. It looks like we will have to resort to putting our unusually high self esteem to work. Do not despair just yet; this self esteem business has a few decent qualities we can tap into. Folks with high self esteem believe they can do anything they set their mind to. That might also be due to a lack of intelligent judgment but for this article we will ignore that argument. When a person believes they can do anything or be anyone, they will have an infinite number of dreams to be dreamed and schemes to be schemed.

Now do not misconstrue my words, I am in no way discrediting the importance of possessing intelligence. Instead, I am raising the question that perhaps a solid self-esteem can make up for whatever intellectual shortcomings we may have. Instead of using a phrase such as “Livin’ the Dream” in a facetious manner when someone inquires about your life, what if we actually began to believe we were livin’ the dream? We may not be living some folks’ dreams, heck, we may not be living out our own dream, but most likely we are living out someone’s dream. At this exact moment in time, there are a greater percentage of people in this world who’s greatest dream is simply to survive. Perhaps they lie awake at night wondering how they will scrounge up food for their children, wondering when the gunfire will cease, or fighting a ferocious disease and praying for one last breath of air to breathe. In an instant our own dreams and ambitions appear as shallow and superficial as those of the Kardashians.  

I do not know at what point our contentedness with the unfolding of our lives just becomes settling for less than we are capable of. However, I do believe we need to use this self esteem/intelligence combination as a mechanism for always striving to work harder and dream bigger. No matter how twisted the path we are being led down, once we succeed at keeping our feet on the ground and our eyes to the sky then we will truly be “L-I-V-I-N the Dream”.

Wish I was down on some blue bayou,
With a bamboo cane stuck in the sand.
But the road I'm on, don't seem to go there,
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am.
Wish I enjoyed what makes my living,
Did what I do with a willin' hand.
Some would run, ah, but that ain't like me.
So I just dream and keep on bein' the way I am.

The way I am, don't fit my shackles.
The way I am, reality.
I can almost see that bobber dancin',
So I just dream, keep on bein' the way I am.

~Merle Haggard

(Previously published in the April, 2011 edition of The Ketch Pen, a monthly periodical of the Washington Cattlemen's Association. Subscription information here)

Listen/Watch The Way I Am performed by Miranda Lambert

Savory Sirloin Summer Salad

Savory Summer Sirloin Salad

1 bEEf ToP SirLoin Steak, cut ¾” thick

1 tbsp Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning

1 medium Sweet Onion, cut into ½” thick slices

6 cups chopped Romaine Lettuce

1 medium tomato, sliced

4 hard cooked eggs, peeled & sliced

New York Style Sea Salt Bagel Crisps

Dressing

1/3 c. red wine vinegar

2 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. Olive Oil

2 tsp. Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend

Combine dressing ingrediants in small bowl. Reserve 1/3 cup dressing for salad. Brush remaining dressing on onion slices.

Press 1 tablespoon seasoning blend evenly onto beef steak. Grill over barbecue or cook in pan on stove. (160 degrees = medium doneness)

Grill onion 10-12 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally.

Carve beef into slives. Arrange lettuce in large bowl/serving platter then top w/ steak, tomatoes, onions, & eggs, drizzle with reserved dressing. Serve w/ Bagel Crisps if desired.

If you haven't thrown out (recycled, etc) your Sunday paper you can find this recipe in a coupon insert along w/ a coupon for the seasoning, bagel crisps, and BEEF! (Who doesn't love bEEf & BudGeTs?? ;>) Best of all this Salad is 24 Day Challenge FRIENDLY!! My mom & I are wrapping up the Cleanse phase of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge! Weight loss was not my goal w/ the 24 Day Challenge, but to reduce pain & joint troubles. However, I am exactly 1 week into the Challenge and 8 pounds have melted away....I probably shouldn't complain about that! More importantly, after 24 hours of "clean eating" the 3 week arthritis flare-up I'd been in (worst flare-up to date), seemed to be on its way out. For the first time in MONTHS I didn't sloooowlly hobble & limp the few steps from my bed to my dresser to fumble Ibrufen out of the bottle, immediatley upon waking up! Find out more information on Advocare HERE

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Clean Water ReeKs like Dirty Land Grab

 Received an update today from Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers regarding Federal Government's grab for land (aka Control & Power) disguised under the umbrella of water.  I've included an excerpt below. I had the pleasure of meeting her in almost two years ago during the D.C. leg of my NCBA Young Cattlemen's Conference. Continue to be impressed by the presence she has made in D.C & the work she has done for our state & nation. Those of you in the 5th Congressional District of WA best hold tight to this great asset!

"...last week the EPA issued a "guidance document" which would allow the Agency to regulate small navigable bodies of water. I am strongly opposed to the EPA's decision because it will substantially infringe on property rights, resulting in confusion, permitting delays, and added costs to farmers and small business owners in Eastern Washington.
The EPA's "guidance document" is not only the wrong policy, it's also the wrong process. By issuing "guidance" before conducting any rulemaking, the EPA is violating the principles of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The APA sets the standards for the activities and rulemaking of all federal regulatory agencies, and is designed to ensure those agencies use open, uniform, and fair procedures.
A few weeks ago, I signed onto a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson opposing the Agency's consideration of this "guidance document." To read that letter, click here.
In light of the EPA's announcement, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, said he will hold hearings on the "EPA's practice of circumventing the regulatory process." I will keep you posted on those hearings and all other developments. No matter what, I am committed to fighting against the EPA's job-crushing policies.
Thank you for your interest in this issue. As always, feel free to contact me about property rights or any other issue you care about.
Warm regards,

Cathy

P.S. - For daily updates, subscribe to my Facebook and Twitter news feeds.

 (Photo Credit: AmericanTradition.org )