“There are 3 truths about destiny you need to understand. 1) You are not lost; you are being prepared. Every delay, every detour, every heartbreak is shaping the person you need to become…2) The path to success does not chase comfort. Growth only happens when you step into the unknown. The path will not be easy, but it will be worth it…3) Your purpose is never about you alone. It is about how your light helps others find their way in the dark. So, do not rush the process. You are exactly where you need to be… Keep walking, destiny awaits at the end of your path.”

Working with Limousin cattle has taught me more than I ever expected. They’ve shown me the value of patience, the reward of consistency, and the importance of resilience when things don’t always go as planned. In a way, they’ve been some of my best teachers—reminding me that growth takes time, progress comes through effort, and strength isn’t always loud, but steady and dependable.

This season, as we gather around the table or spend long hours together caring for our livestock, let’s remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Every day spent working together, whether it’s tackling a tough project or celebrating small wins, builds the foundation for the future.

If you remember to keep genetics, nutrition and hard work your top priority, you can confidently walk away a winner in the ring and a successful cattleman, and THAT is something to be proud of.

In the end, it’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up. Stay strong, stay focused, and never give up on what matters most.

Embrace each challenge as a learning experience rather than a defeat.

So, how do we “strive for honor in the pursuit of excellence?” Start by acknowledging that no one is perfect, and we all fall short. Speaking from experience, it takes a lot of effort to lay down your pride and support the successes of others when you yourself have failed.

Written By Ryleigh Morris, NALJA Treasurer Reflecting on the path you’ve traveled so far, it becomes evident that you haven’t walked it alone. There have been countless individuals who have lent their support, wisdom, and encouragement, each one leaving an indelible mark on your journey. From the teachers who imparted knowledge and guidance, to the…

Each day God gives us on this earth is an opportunity to work hard and obtain our goals. Remember that “the best time to start a goal was yesterday. The next best time is now.”

I challenge everyone to do their best and try to learn from their mistakes and I also challenge everyone not to give up when you mess up. You never know who is looking up to you.

You never understand how much your family does for you to succeed until you take a step back. Especially in an industry like this, it is definitely a team effort.

Setting goals and figuring out who you are as a person is a task that cannot be accomplished without mentors. As young people we often tend to get ahead of ourselves and make decisions based on theory rather than experience.

Sometimes I think we tend to look at change as something that is scary or that we don’t want to do. If we give it a chance, we can see how good it can really be for us. We may like the old because it was working and gives us a certain level of comfort.

Being positive is a conscious, everyday choice. The average person is estimated to make around 35,000 decisions in ONE day. Each morning when we wake up, we have the opportunity to make what I would argue is the most important decision of them all: “Am I going to look at the glass half empty or the glass half full today?”

Needless to say, if things aren’t going the way you want them to maybe take a look at who you surround yourself with. It is impossible to reach your goals when you are surrounded by people that might be holding you back.

By remaining positive and working through our challenges, we might be provided with greater opportunities. We all need to remember that no matter what has been thrown at us, we need to just keep on going.

Even though days are busy and sometimes crazy, I find it important to remember to go into every day with a smile. I am getting older, and even though everything stays busy before I know it, I will be too old for school and shows and all this crazy.

We need to focus on the bigger picture of not wanting to be perfect and breaking ourselves down by not believing in ourselves but working on ourselves to take those lessons learned to build progression every day to reach our goals.

Be proven today and every day by consistently pouring your heart into your works and completing them.

“Life moves fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

The best advice I have ever received was to “Take things one day at a time and appreciate where you are now in life.”

“No one really prepares you for how fast these 10 years go,” she tells young showmen.  “Soak it all in and try to be in as many events as you can. If you don’t have the best hat for that year, just go and enjoy the time. Because it really was the highlight of my summer.”

Know that when purchasing a Limousin project, you are not just getting an animal, you are entering a network of people that want to help you succeed.

Encouragement can provide people with strength to look ahead and reach for their next goal. Instead of living for ourselves, we should all work at being the person that the world needs us to be.

Change – it is inevitable, and it is against human nature to accept it. Change is not defined as an event, but it is defined as a psychological experience and that is what makes it so difficult to accept. Change is always inevitable.

Now I’m wrapping up my first year on the board and have loved every second of it. So, if I had any piece of advice to give a junior, it would be to step out of your comfort zone. Join that judging team, be the friend, take the leap. You never know what life is going to throw your way. When you have the chance, take it. It might be the best decision of your life. I hope everyone has a good summer, and I can’t wait to see y’all in Amarillo at the Texas Two Step!

There are many different satellite events that your Junior Board offers at the NJLSC, whichever ones you choose, I hope that you have a fun week on your family vacation in Amarillo, Texas this summer. Every year, we strive to make it the best that it can be with the exhibitors being our first thought in mind. As an exhibitor myself, I truly feel that being involved as much as I can he has led me to be the person I am today. I can’t wait to see you in Amarillo this summer!

I hope everyone is also branching out to the numerous Limousin sales that are coming up in the next few months across the country. I am sure all these sales will have good livestock for folks to find to grow their herd and continue to carry the Limi Tradition. I am glad to see the breed growing interest across the country as it is here in my home state.

Nevertheless, there are many instances in life where at first, we may not succeed but in a second, third, or fourth attempt we may see better results. Usually, those results are directly correlated to us learning from previous mistakes. So, while I may not be showing as a junior, now its challenges I face with work, graduate school, or breeding and raising cattle, just to name a few. And that is why I think it is important to be involved in a breed association and to exhibit livestock.

At least once in our lifetime we will be on our knees, beat down and just wanting to give up, however, we must find that strength to rise and keep pushing forward. If you get bucked off, we get back in that saddle and ride again.

What is a gift? A gift could be something that you give someone, like a birthday or Christmas gift. It could be a natural talent or ability that you possess, such as playing a musical instrument or showing cattle. Or a gift could also be something you cherish, such as the gift of friendship.

I challenge you to sit back with a positive mindset and think of how the small things you’ve completed in the past have helped you attain the big things you now possess. Keep an end goal in mind and put your nose down and work on the things you need to do to get there! 

While it may be a challenge some days, all one can do is wake up and make the most of the hand they are dealt. If we collectively can all do just that, time will in theory, be better.

An all time favorite quote of mine is, “You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with.” I think this is so relevant to the world we live in today. You can choose to surround yourself with positive or negative, hard-working or lazy, and faithful or unfaithful people. Just know that in the end, you will become what you surround yourself with! SO, be wise my friends.

Uncertainty seems to be the word to describe 2020, but you can look at that word with hopelessness or as an opportunity to reach out of your comfort zone, put forth a little more effort, or even just have an extra appreciation for the small things.

Wow, what a relief it is to finally see some things getting back to normal. The fall majors are underway, and the competition certainly wasn’t lacking at American Royal, and I’m sure the quality will follow suit at NAILE and the inaugural Cattleman’s Congress.

Sometimes in life we’ll have our backs held against the wall and the only thing to do is walk forward. In these times it seems like that’s the only thing you can do. For some people it’s harder as some families are suffering from no jobs and no income, and we will continue to pray for those families.

With more and more people asking tough questions about the industries that have come to light by being labeled “essential.” The meat industry, specifically the packer side of things, has come under some significant scrutiny. We will have to wait and see what happens, but it is incredible what people see once you start shining a little light on specific industries.

While pursuing any of your goals or passions, I challenge you to always remember that the most important step in the process, is the first step. A person can accomplish all things if they are willing to initiate something and follow through with dedication and perseverance.