When the then Rotary World President, Ray Klinginsmith, took on the big gig in 2010, he said that he would apply the fundamentals of cowboy logic in his year as the Big Dog, and he highlighted the fact Rotarians already adhere to cowboy ways.
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image: courtesy of Pinterest
I referred to the urban dictionary and the term Cowboy Up goes something like this …”Basically, another way of saying "Shut up and take it like a man" or “Quit your whining." The term is derived from the popular image of cowboys being tough, unflinching, uncomplaining, and hard-working. "Cowboy up, man. What would John Wayne say if he heard you complaining over a little hard work?
When people are acting recklessly or without thought or, as it might happen, not using common sense, I sometimes hear them being referred to as ‘Cowboys’ instead of the term I would use which is ‘dumb-ass’.
adjective: dumb-ass
1. stupid; brainless.
"When all around you are, by their own admission, using their common sense (and failing), it is time to change the game. It seems to be an oxymoron, this Common Sense caper, so I refer to it as UNCOMMON sense."
I am bewildered, that the term common sense is also bandied about so often by people displaying the antithesis of common sense.
Like Common Sense, Cowboy Logic carries with it a HUMUNGUS misperception.
According to the naysayers it seems that a cowboy charges ahead without any planning; just a cavalier grin; and a who-gives-a-shit attitude. In actual fact, if you consider this for a moment, Cowboy Logic, is considerably different. It is a story of studied observation, learning from forebears and painful life lessons that prepares a cowboy to charge into a life and death situation with an air of ‘this is what I do, screw everybody else, go and judge someone else – I care not’. The thing is, the hours of observation and learning culminates in the right move done at the speed of a charging steer.
When Rotary World President Ray Klinginsmith took the helm and pronounced that he was going to apply the principles of Cowboy Logic, those who didn't understand went to the social media sites and vomited their disapproval….without considering what the great man was saying.
The fundamental principles of cowboy logic are to live each day with courage; take pride in your work; always finish what you start; do what has to be done; be tough, but fair; when you make a promise, keep it; ride for the brand; talk less and say more; remembering that some things aren't for sale; and know where to draw the line.
Here are some more examples of Cowboy Logic.
• If you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with an active mosquito.
• Always take a good look at what you’re about to eat. It’s not so important to know what it is, but you should know what it was.
• Red meat is NOT bad for you. Blue-green meat, now that's bad for you!
• People who are tough never have to tell you that they are. It’s the same with people who are honest.
• Never miss a chance to shut up. Well-timed silence has more eloquence than speech
• The easiest way to eat crow is when it’s still warm. The colder it gets the harder it is to swallow.
• Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain't botherin’ you none.
• Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
• If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.
• If it don’t seem like it’s worth the effort, it probably ain't.
• It don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
• Never ask a barber if you need a haircut.
• If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some considerable influence, try ordering someone else’s dog around.
• Don’t worry about bitin’ off more than you can chew, your mouth is likely a whole lot bigger than you think.
• The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.
• Don’t squat with your spurs on.
• When you’re throwing your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by someone else.
• Telling a man to get lost and making him do it are two entirely different propositions.
• Good judgment comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
• When you give a personal lesson in meanness to a person or a critter don’t be surprised if they learn it.
• Generally speakin’. You ain’t learnin’ nothing when you’re the one doin’ the talkin.
• Lettin’ the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.
• The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with watches you shave your face in the mirror every morning.
If you want to make a difference stick your neck out and do what other people won't, so that later you can do what other people can't. Thanks Ray, thanks so much for the lesson.
