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The Trust Project

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Most therapists tell you the most effective personal habits, rather than demonstrate them to you. But as I wander the stalls and arenas at the National Western Stock Show, I’m learning important stuff all the time, and not just from my personal spirit animals: sheep. If you look, listen, and even sniff closely enough, there are all sorts of principles being mooed, whinnied, clucked, yelped and otherwise baaaaa-andied about. 

For instance…

NWSS Life Lesson No. 1: Don’t become overly attached to your pets

One way or another, they’re going to leave you. Possibly on a serving platter. 

A cartoon drawing of a person showing a prize winning steer at the National Western Stock Show, though the banner reads "National Western Steak Show"
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

NWSS Life Lesson No. 2: There are jobs much worse than yours.

Though this one may look familiar, metaphorically speaking.

A cartoon of someone shoveling cow pies at the National Western Stock Show, with an imperious voice calling out a missed pile "More pies over here, lad."
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

NWSS Life Lesson No. 3: Tackle small problems before they become big.

Piglet: cute. Pig: dinner. 

A cartoon drawing of a piglet, on the left, and a big hog, on the right, at the National Western Stock Show.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

NWSS Life Lesson No. 4: Sometimes your boss actually does know what s/he is talking about.

Sub-lesson: Their bark isn’t as bad as their bite.

A cartoon drawing of a border collie barking at a bunch of lambs that are all yelling BAAAAAAUUUUGGGGHH! at the National Western Stock Show
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

NWSS Life Lesson No. 5: Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.

Cowboys/girls: Remember to tip your rodeo clown.  

A cartoon drawing of a rodeo clown being tossed by a steer and saying "The ski patrollers go a raise. How about me" at the National Western Stock Show.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

NWSS Life Lesson No. 6: Be grateful to the people who make your dinner.

All 50 states plus 30 foreign countries are at the show, and the food court smells good because of them. Thank the nice people who fill your belly, please. 

A cartoon map of the United States, Canada and Mexico with the primary agricultural activity of each written in the shape of the states and provinces.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

NWSS Life Lesson No. 7: Yes, you need a haircut.

But, no, yours isn’t going to look this good. 

A cartoon drawing of a ram getting its very fluffy fleece combed. The Valais blacknose sheep has a blue ribbon for Fluffiest in Show at the National Western Stock Show.
(Peter Moore, Special to The Colorado Sun)

The National Western Stock Show continues until Jan. 26 at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver.

Type of Story: Opinion

Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

Peter Moore is an editor, writer, illustrator, ghostwriter, co-author, radio host, TV guest, speaker, editorial consultant, and journalism lecturer. In his most recent gig he was interim editor-in-chief of BACKPACKER magazine. Peter...