THOUGHTS
Hang in There ! By Raf Viniard
This time of the year things in Montana slows way down , folks start getting cabin fever and feeling the winter blues . Businesses struggle through the next 2-3 months but most have the expectations of a good spring and summer season . Overall I think most folks are looking to 2017 with a little more hope and enthusiasm based on the election outcome .
As we swear in our new President this month some have higher expectations than others . The left is having a meltdown over the thought of a Trump presidency . Instead of publishing Montana Woods N Water maybe I need to switch to publishing coloring books . For me , I just sit back , watch and listen . America is so deeply divided and everyone is so strongly opinionated . I take the attitude of “ Trust But Verify ”.
America is still 20 trillion in debt and that is not going away anytime soon if at all . Positive changes will not come quick , so we have to be patient and see what our new president and our duly elected government officials can deliver on vs . their campaign promises . However , responsibility of how we look at life and meet its challenges are our responsibility .
I have lived in Montana now for almost four years and I have seen the price of everything go up from food to land . Things are not going to get cheaper . The thought of buying a new truck has long fleeted my thoughts . If I spend 50-60K on a new truck I would have to live in it . Families are struggling every month . Montana is not a easy place to make a living . But true Montanan ’ s have persistence , grit and work through the problems one day at a time .
Gun and ammo sales are down and prepping has come to a crawl if not abandoned . Is this the time to drop our guard and slink back into the old way of thinking that everything will be fine now that we have a new President ? Things can happen from one day to the next that are un-imaginable ... history has taught us that . Stay alert , stay informed , don ’ t believe everything you hear on TV or read on Facebook , verify the source and question everything . Hold the politicians feet to the fire . Renew your faith and learn to lean on your creator for discernment and guidance . Any time you put all your trust in man , you are likely to be disappointed eventually . There are still daily injustices served by our supposedly fair justice system ... right now you don ’ t pay much attention to it because it is not your family , friends or relatives that are being affected . It has just become another news story happening off in a far away place . Keep a watchful eye and ear .
This is a new year and aside from all the political distractions and cold weather , focus on what is positive in your life . Start making plans for the upcoming spring bear , turkey season , shed hunting , fishing , local vacations , mushroom picking , gardening , etc . We live in Montana and folks from all over the world will come here this summer spending their money to just enjoy Montana for a few days . We live and breathe Montana everyday and I feel blessed to be a part of it . If you don ’ t like living here or think it is to conservative for you then move , make a change in your life ... go find happiness . However , finding happiness starts from within . Look there first .
The other day I pulled off the road and just stood there looking at the snow capped mountains as the minus 12 degrees cut through my jeans . I was humbled by its beauty and vastness . As I breathed in the cold air it made me feel refreshed and alive again . Yes , it was colder than a well diggers butt , however the fact that I lived , worked and played in Montana with some of the finest folks in the world put the spring back in my step to face the day and weeks challenges .
So shake those winter blues ... spring will be here before you know it ... hang in there ! You are in control of your attitude and your life .
Tony
and Harley
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