Hello friends!!
Mariah here!! I’m BACK!! It’s been awhile since I was on the blog. I have been busy studying for the California Bar Exam. For months, I spent 10 or more hours per day memorizing such things as torts, evidence and civil procedure. I am glad that’s over! I took the test a few weeks ago and have since taken a few weeks off to rest and recover.
My brain was fried and I was exhausted! I set out from Los Angeles to visit family and spent part of my time back at my parent’s cattle ranch where I grew up. The return to my roots recharged my batteries and
reminded me of lessons I’d first learned long ago about work ethic.
My parent’s house is located in the middle of nowhere. The nearest city is thirty-five minutes away. There is no cell service and the internet is slow. All this meant I had no choice but to take a sabbatical from my phone. To be honest, this was for the best. Too often I find myself spending hours scrolling aimlessly through my news feed. Without this empty distraction, I used my extra time to tag along with my dad and brother, helping them around the ranch.
I was quickly reminded of old times. I rode along with my dad on the tractor and four-wheeler while he fed the cows. I was opening and closing the gates. It was a simple and easy task, but had important implications. One time, many years ago, I had forgotten to shut the gate and the cows got out. When my dad got home he made eminently clear he did not accept “half ass work.” With this memory in mind and not wanting to repeat history, I made sure to give extra attention to properly closing each gate.
My brother and dad were also in the middle of calving season—the time of year when our cows give birth. This is a long and grueling time. My brother and dad spend many sleepless nights tending to the cows and delivering the babies. Even though I didn’t do much to help the deliveries, it did seem like they appreciated the entertainment of my company.
Overall, my time at home was memorable and refreshing. The break from my phone forced me to turn off needless distractions pulling on my mind. Without the lure of social media, I spent more time with the people I was with in a fully present capacity. This unhindered disposition freed me to focus more on others and gain insights I might otherwise never have taken time to consider.
What stood out the most, was my dad and brother’s work ethic. Both have suffered severe back injuries and the cold only exacerbates the pain. Nonetheless, even on the most frigid morning, they weather the cold to ensure the job gets done. Neither has much time for excuses. If they neglected the cows in the cold, the baby calves could die of hypothermia. If the calves died, my parents would have no income for the year. Between getting the job done or not, neither see any option.
My dad’s work ethic convicted me of my own recent lack in drive. I had spent the weeks prior complaining about the bar exam and didn’t have the motivation to do anything after it was over. I was approaching an important transition in my life; the start of my professional career. Instead of committing 100% effort to job applications, I wanted to put it off, remain complacent, and avoid addressing the problem. However, like the old adage, I needed to “buck up.” I watched my dad and brother go to work in the worst conditions. I realized it was time for me to put my big girl pants back on and get to work.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit