I have experienced a very full and adventurous life in my short 22 years. There are times that it seems totally mundane and boring compared to the stories of my friends and even those of my parents in their younger days, but after a while of reflection, I realize that my lifestyle is not boring at all.

I am a Sandhills girl, that might not mean anything to most people or no one at all, but for me, it is my identity. I just got home from helping some people brand their cattle herd in order to identify them from their neighbor's herd as well as vaccinate them to prevent sickness. It was a rough week full of ups and downs with plenty of adventure and frustration due to a sundry of circumstances.

We went North for a few days, putting me out of my element as far as gathering the herd. Trees, rocks and the threat of rattlesnakes and mountain lions made me watch where I was loping and made the process a little more challenging than I am used to. As I was up there sitting on hilltops covered in shale rock or ducking around pine tree branched, I kept cursing the cattle wishing I back down in the sand dodging the soapweeds. The experience of it all made me realize that I am rooted totally in my little slice of heaven and that sometimes that I take it for granted. You know the cliche "the grass is always greener."

As I chatted with the crew after the work was done for the day, they asked all sorts of questions about how my family and I run our cattle operation. We covered the wrecks I have seen at brandings, broaching the topic of injuries as one of my friends on the trip broke a thumb. One thing led to another and I was talking about my rodeo adventures and the places I have traveled and people I had met.

I listened to their tales of living in the southern part of Nebraska and about their lives and where they work and how they love the lives they live, even if they’re not always appreciative. One woman commented on how the weeks that she comes up here to brand reminds her to appreciate her job because it is not near as much physical labor. I laughed as she asked is my life always this much hard work.

I guess what I am trying to say—in a roundabout way—is find your identity and look for your adventure. If you are a nerd chasing Pokémon around cities, go for it; that is your adventure. If you are a jock, then remember that making that touchdown pass or hammering that kill over the net at that crucial game point moment, that is your adventure.

I am not saying that your hobbies need to reign over your whole life or dictate every move you make. I am simply trying to remind you that you live a full life and that your journey might not sound as fun or as exciting as another person’s, but it is equally as important and I hope you remember that. Sometimes it takes a push to see it, I know it does for me.