The Real Cowboy Up: Taking a Chance on Tenacity

I am horizontally testing my couch tonight which is probably a bad idea considering it is leather. The temperature outside is +36 in the shade and our lakeside wind has gone on vacation to the Calgary Stampede. It feels like someone picked up Ontario and dropped it off in Joussard. The air is sweltering in this room full of cowboy bravado and humidity. I lay here sweaty, watching the Calgary Stampede with anticipation for the day 6 Chuck wagon races. At my feet Molly pants on like she knows that in 30 minutes her owners are going to be cheering widely at the noise box. Her eyes dart back and forth from the steer wrestling event to our faces like a line dance at the Cook County Saloon. Tonight we await the fate of my favorite Chuckwagon driver Chance Vigen. To say that Chance has struggled over the first 5 days is gravely understated. From slow heats to penalties the Vigen outfit has left Chance outside of the qualifying bubble. There is, however, something about Chance that inspires me to hope for a comeback. It is either his "take no prisoners" approach or that devilish shit eating grin on his face that makes me root for his win. It could be just his name that reminds me that the endless possibilities exist and can be ours if we try.

As I watched Chance struggle it reminded me of that thing that I was lacking for so many years. In my past when things got tough I rarely got going. When I encountered a competition of any kind I would often give up before I failed. It is a part of me that I am slowly letting go of as I collect the strength to carry on when things start to go sideways. Having been raised by a demanding narcissist, failure was equivalent to unworthiness. As the scapegoat of the family the only thing that I wanted more than anything was worth. So what is it that Chance Vigen has that makes him get back into that chuckwagon and try hard each night? I believe it is that little trait called tenacity. 

In the quiet moments of reflection, when the world feels heavy and the shadows of our past loom large, it is tenacity that often carries us through. Tenacity is more than just sheer determination; it is the unwavering spirit that resides within each of us, whispering softly yet insistently that we can overcome. For those of us who have survived trauma, tenacity becomes a lifeline, a beacon of hope that guides us through the storm.

Trauma has a way of making us feel isolated, as though we are navigating an endless ocean with no land in sight. But within us, there is a deep well of strength, a tenacious core that refuses to let us sink. It is this inner resolve that propels us to keep moving forward, even when every step feels like a monumental effort. Tenacity is the gentle reminder that no matter how turbulent the waters may become, we have the power to stay afloat. 

Healing from trauma is not a linear journey. There are days when the past feels too overwhelming, when the weight of our experiences threatens to pull us under. Yet, it is in these moments that our tenacity shines the brightest. It is the quiet courage to face our pain, to acknowledge our scars, and to keep going, despite the fear and uncertainty. Tenacity is the heart's resilience, the mind's steadfastness, and the soul's determination to find peace.

As trauma survivors, we must honor our tenacity. It is the force that allows us to rebuild our lives, to find joy and meaning amid the remnants of our past. Tenacity is the promise we make to ourselves that we are worth the effort, that our healing journey is a testament to our strength and our capacity for growth. It is the unwavering belief that we can rise above our circumstances, transforming our pain into a source of profound wisdom and compassion. 

In the embrace of tenacity, we find the courage to face each day with hope. We learn to trust ourselves, to listen to the whispers of our resilient spirit, and to move forward with grace and determination. Tenacity is our ally, our guiding light, and our greatest strength. It reminds us that, no matter how daunting the journey may seem, we have within us the power to heal, to thrive, and to create a future filled with possibility and peace. So, to every survivor reading this, remember: your tenacity is a testament to your incredible strength. Embrace it, nurture it, and let it guide you on your healing journey. You are not alone, and your resilience is a beautiful beacon of hope. You have what it takes to show up and get in that chuckwagon and try regardless of the possibility of failure. 

Tonight, after days of unbearable struggle, Chance Vigen drove his team to win his heat and come close to beating the track record. With an ecstatic scream coming from his mouth and in a full upright stand, his team breezed across the finish line. Chance's contorted face told the story of his "CowboyUp" determination. The win moved the rightfully named cowboy into the top 3 drivers in the race to make it to Championship Sunday. With his missing shit eating grin once again displayed from ear to ear and with hand raised in victory, Chance gave a ride by for excited fans. Despite the sweltering heat I cheered for his triumphant display of tenacity and all that it had brought to team Vigen. Molly howled and raced in her typical nervous victory lap around the living room. For the first time in days, a slight breeze filtered through the window bringing with it the hope of cooler weather. As cowboy legend has it, the most valuable lessons are learned in adversity... it's a pretty good Chance that failure is the precursor to fortune. Here's our annual Stampede reminder that we all need to "Cowboy Up" and wrangle up the sheer tenacity to win our next heat.