Feedback

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed the presentation very much. As a former Wyoming and Montana resident (6 years and 3 years, respectively) I felt an immediate connection with the presentation. Even though I am a city slicker from MO, I herded cattle, mended fences, and fed and watered a few horses. I fulfilled most of my childhood cowboy dreams, even if I only go a small taste. Thank you for recognizing how hard that work and life is.

The people I met while living in the western states who were natives of those states were the friendliest people I’ve met, anywhere. They welcomed me to their communities and into their lives. They willingly taught this city slicker skills you can’t learn in a book. And they tried very hard not to laugh while I learned those things. And I learned more humility than I cared to.

As far as a take away from your presentation, there were a couple of things in particular that resonated. I traveled non-stop while living out west, so I was not able to get involved in the community in a formal way. I didn’t join any groups. However, once I moved back to the upper Midwest, I joined all sorts of groups. I was involved in everything in a big way, which my wife still fails to remotely understand. I think it relates to the “Do What Has To Be Done” principle. If something needs to be done, or should be done in my opinion, I have an obligation as a citizen to help get it done. And so I try to help.

The other principle that resonates is “Talk Less and Say More”. I am quiet by nature. Most of the time I do not have an inclination to say anything. It seems that there are always plenty of people who are willing to hold up my end of the conversation and theirs. The best compliment I ever received was when someone said that I don’t ever say much, but people should listen when I do. Enough said.

Thank you again.