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April/May 2006 Issue
Keep your eye on the goal
by Jennifer Shike
Do you remember the first time you tried to ride a bicycle? Unless you are unusually gifted, you probably met a few obstacles along your path. For me, it was the big fence post in the horse lot that seemed to go wherever I did.
When you attempt riding a bicycle for the first time, there are many things you need to remember. But one of the most important things you can do is look straight ahead so you can see where you are going. When you look down, the problems begin. It becomes much easier to lose control.
Obstacles can be frightful things when you take your eyes off your goals.
As an NJSA member, you may have faced similar situations while raising your showpigs. There are so many things out there that can distract your focus and cause you to lose sight of your goals.
Have you ever been encouraged to take a shortcut during chore time so you could leave earlier to go watch a movie with your friends? Or maybe you skipped walking your pig the night before a big show so you could attend the biggest game of the year.
When you have the opportunity to show livestock, you will be faced with many choices of how to spend your time. Some kids only get to hang out with their friends and go to fun activities around their hometowns. Not every kid has the opportunity to travel to pig shows throughout their county, state or even country.
If you think about it long enough, you’ll begin to see how blessed you are to have many choices in front of you. Showing pigs is definitely a privilege that few get to do.
However, if you don’t set goals for yourself and your projects, it will become hard to distinguish what you are truly aiming for in life. Whether you are 5 or 15, it’s never too early or too late to decide upon your goals and start working to make those goals happen.
Nobody wants to face obstacles – they usually aren’t much fun. But if you keep focused in on what matters the most to you, I guarantee it will be a more-satisfying journey as you will be able to veer away from the obstacles in your path.
When I was in college, I decided my goals were to be the best student and livestock judge that I could be. That meant I had to cut out some other great opportunities in order to accomplish these goals. I couldn’t do everything I wanted to do because I had to give school and livestock judging the highest priority in my schedule.
Sometimes it’s not easy to say “no” when your friends ask you to go to a movie because you have a test the next day or to say “no” to a fun weekend ski trip because you have a judging contest.
But once you decide it’s your goal and after you attain that success, it makes all of the sacrifices worth it.
By the time the next Seedstock EDGE arrives at your door, I will be focusing in on my newest goal in life – being the best mother I can be. For those of you who haven’t run into me lately, I am excited to announce that Dan and I are expecting our first child on May 17.
Dan’s been busy putting together baby furniture, and I’ve been fretting about the important details such as the color of the baby bedding and how to organize the closet. As I write this, the baby is kicking and moving around more and more every day. I can’t help but wonder if there is a correlation between activity now and activity later!
I will be taking time off after the baby is born, but will be back in time for the National Junior Summer Spectacular. Dan and I will be making the journey to “L-Town” with a new crew this year – grandma and baby.
During my time off, please contact the NSR office at 765.463.3594 and ask for Katey Brattain, our newly hired NJSA Program Assistant, or Brittany Moore, our NJSA Intern, with any questions or needs you may have.
I encourage you to evaluate your goals in life. What are your priorities? What sacrifices will you need to make in order to keep focused on your goals? The path to achievement is much easier if you remember to look straight ahead and watch out for the fence posts that try to get in the way!
