Tis the season!!!!  It's that time of year... A time to reflect on how this year has blessed each and every one of us. This past weekend hosted an annual invitational roping and dinner celebration that has grown into an event that all look forward to enjoying.  Good times with friends and family and a competitive atmosphere that is just enough to fuel the fire but not toooo much to spark large flames.  Rain or shine the show always goes on.......

Dally Team roping, Poo Wai U, Wahine Mugging and Barrel racing are just a few of the many events that one can enjoy throughout this performance.  Trucks and trailers line the road way, keiki running up and down and steers of all shapes and colors gather together for a day of fun filled activities.

As the day wraps up everyone ventures back to their homes to refresh and return for the evening party.  Santa arrives with gifts for the keiki, a buffet of food is prepared for all to enjoy and music plays in the background as all gather for the presentation of awards.  There are buckles for each Champion of every event and a very special award for the All Around Cowboy and Cowgirl of the day.  Excitement fills the air as those select few names are called and recognized.  It was shortly before 8pm when the All Around Winners were named.  The All Around Cowgirl arose and accepted her award than the All Around Cowboy made his way up for his award.  Tears began to fill his eyes as he slowly approached the center stage.  No longer able to hold back his emotions he put his pride aside and let his heart take over.  Flowing tears of joy came forth and everyone under the tent was pulled in by his expressions.  What a moment to experience.  One could only imagine how over come this young man was and how much he appreciated the recognition for his efforts.  He had won this prestigious award at other functions however he had only one comment to make...."This meant more to me than winning the States....." Yes, he had won the All Around Cowboy title for the State of Hawaii.....

So..... no matter how small an item may appear to one it may mean the world to another.   Always remember that the memory created will last a lifetime and the physical features will soon fade away. Keep close those that hold a special place in your heart and look forward to the next memory every day. The season of sharing in not only about grand gifts.  It's about spending time with loved ones and simply creating memories.....

Have a safe and happy Holiday Season..... 

The Hawaii High School Rodeo Association Maui District opened it's season this past weekend at the Oskie Rice Arena in Makawao.  Saturday was sunny and hot, yet Sunday brought much needed rains throughout the entire performance. But without a doubt in their minds, dedicated young cowboys and cowgirls, saddled, mounted their horses and competed in a manner that only a dedicated individual would.

Ranging from kindergarten through seniors in high school, these young paniolos come together to compete, support and educate each other in the western ways of life.  Barrel racing, pole bending, team roping and bull riding are just a few of the event that one can enjoy at these performances.

At the last performance a contestant stands out in my mind.  This young man had never been on a horse before, his parents have never been involved in the sport, he just learned how to properly swing a rope and had never been up close to a steer in his entire life.  Yet.....he decided that he was going to RODEO!

With dedication and commitment in his heart and the desire to be a cowboy,  he approached a well connected family and asked for their assistance in sharing a few pointers.  This family took him under their wings and offered him a horse to ride, showed him how to hold and swing a rope and educated him with safety measures for his protection. So now it was rodeo day and time to show his stuff.....He didn't make the 8 second ride for his bulls, didn't rope the steer that he had drawn and couldn't knock the calf in the tie-down roping, YET.........at the end of the day as he was tending to his aches and pains he was asked, "Are you OK?  How are you feeling?" He replied, I'm all right and I feel good.  I didn't win anything today, but I'll be back. !!!!!

The cattle was released to their pastures, trucks with trailers pulled out of the parking lot and sitting by the entrance gate waiting for his ride was a young cowboy and his "Stuff".  As I pulled up next to him, I asked if he needed a ride.  "No thank you, my ride is coming" he replied with a smile, so I continued on.  As I looked back I saw a young man in the making.....laying forth his path in life and acting on his decisions.  It may not be the choice that ultimately guides him through but it's a stepping stone of discovering who he is NOW and who he may BECOME.  Many say you are a product of your parents, but in some cases maybe NOT...Like this cowboy, sometimes we pave our own paths and it may be one that we were not BORN into.....

I'm sure you've all heard the phrase "Step out of your Bubble"!  What bubble? Step where? What does it all mean, you may ask.  Well to different people it may mean different things, but this is my version...

When you're in your "Bubble", life is comfortable.  Things remain constant and you appear to know everything that surrounds you.  But does this allow you GROWTH????? Probably NOT!!!  In order to grow, CHANGE needs to occur, but in order for change to occur, YOU MUST allow it to happen.

Stepping out of the bubble is when you allow change. The surroundings aren't so secure anymore and new challenges begin to come your way.  Sometime one over comes these challenges and sometime NOT.  However, with each defeat comes strength and experience.  This is where the learning begins.

We learn through experience or through the experiences of those before us.  We CHOOSE to listen and we CHOOSE ignore.  Sometime our choices appear to work against us, well that becomes consequences.  Bottom line.....you made the choice you face the consequences. Life is a funny thing.  As hard as one may try to guide others on the "Smoother" path often times they choose a path that may be a little more bumpy. Again, that's a choice and this will bring growth.

So where am I going with all of this? Step out of your bubble and give your self a chance.  If it gets tooooo tough outside, you can always step back in.  The bubble has an open door policy and will NEVER slam shut behind you.  That bubble may expand or it may shrink, however it will always be big enough for you...