For many stock show families, it’s crunch time before the Houston Livestock Show. Every daylight hour and a lot of nighttime hours are spent preparing. Fine-tuning feed, spending a little extra time on showmanship, brushing (or blowing) until your arm nearly falls off. No matter the breed, everyone is dialing in.
But there’s another part of preparation that I think gets overlooked this time of year: fine-tuning your mind.
These shows bring excitement, but they also bring a lot of mental stress. And in our breed especially, February always seems to come with an extra layer. Elections, politics, jockeying for positions, smear campaigns against people and cattle, voting plans — it’s a lot. Our board is large, the conversations are loud, and it’s easy to get pulled into the noise. Even when you try not to.
I’m not saying this to criticize anyone. I’m saying it because it’s reality, and if we don’t acknowledge it, we pretend it isn’t affecting people when it absolutely is.
So I want to share something small that helps me.
Every year when February 1 hits, I only listen to Christian music in my car. For me, that steady stream of encouragement resets my perspective. It reminds me that all of it sits inside a much bigger picture. One of my favorite songs right now is “You’ve Already Won.” I like the theme of “winning” since it relates to competition. But the message is simple: no matter what you’re facing, God has already won the battle.
Another is “The Lord’s Prayer” by Matt Maher. The line about forgiving those who hurt you hits especially hard this time of year. Forgiveness isn’t easy in competitive environments. But carrying bitterness is heavier than letting it go.
Having a grounded friend helps too. Someone you trust. Make a pact to keep each other steady. Pray for each other. Call each other out when negativity starts creeping in. We all need accountability partners during seasons like this.
And pray for discernment. There will always be political attacks, rumors, and stories flying around — about people, organizations, cattle and programs. If something sounds suspicious, slow down. Research it yourself. Go directly to people instead of relying on third-party gossip. Protect your mind from becoming a dumping ground for other people’s agendas.
Stock show season can bring tension because we care so deeply. But what we feed our hearts and minds matters just as much as what we feed our cattle.
And it starts with each of us deciding what we’re willing to carry into our hearts, our minds, and the barn.