Fallon Taylor: Athlete, Role Model, Hero
1/16/21
Quenton Dokken

Cruising through YouTube I stumbled across a series of postings by Fallon Taylor, world champion barrel racer and much more.  Wow, this lady is impressive!  Blessed with uncommonly good looks, an engaging speaking style and personality, insightful intelligence beyond her years, and drive to succeed she is a role model to be emulated by people of all ages!  My sons are grown but you can bet I will introduce my grandchildren to this guru for living and competing.  She has re-energized lessons that I learned along the way but have let go dormant.  And I must admit I am “crushing” on her a little – silly old man.

Ms. Taylor closes her posting with a signature sign off:

“Count your blessings,

Drink your protein,

Say thank you to Jesus.”

Sound advice for one and all.  

In today’s fast high-pressure world driven by obsessions to achieve and accumulate, too often we fail to take the time to “count” our blessings.  And we all have had blessings in our lives; we just forget sometimes.  And many of these blessings have been gifted to us by others to whom we should be gratefuland express our gratitude: parents, family, friends, teachers, mentors and more.

“Drink your protein” is a call to take care of your physical self.  As youth we are blessed with young bodies full of energy and life.  As we proceed through life our bodies take a beating.  Take care of your body and it will carry you farther into the future productively.

“Say thank you to Jesus” encourages us to take care of our spiritual and moral being.  Faith is a power that many of us fail to consider soon enough or intensely enough.  At the minute we are conceived we begin an unalterable journey to an afterlife.  One of the absolute laws of life.  The time between conception and death is not “all there is.” Best be prepared.

All of this calls for a “balanced life.”  Unfortunately, few of us live a balanced life.  The artificial demands created by society take control and drive us into very unbalanced lives seeking excess and failing to recognize what is profoundly important in life.  People and love are the essence of life.

Ms. Taylor offers lessons on winning and losing, the value of both and how to respond accordingly.  From watching her journey on the professional rodeo tour, we can pick up lessons on the importance of family, friends, and competitors.  She exudes humor and joy.  Clearly, she works hard to pass along the many favors and encouragements she has received since joining the Professional Rodeo Association at the age of 13.

I can now see the end of my journey through this life and am spending more time reflecting on the lessons I have learned through life; my successes, failures, and my continued potential to contribute to life. Fallon Taylor’s advice is sound – so pay attention.

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