The Code of the West
If you don’t know James P. Owen’s take on “The Code of the West” from his boo Cowboy Ethics, I would highly recommend taking a look at it. Not only does it apply to cowboys and ranching, but also to us as Wyoming Cowboys. In fact, I have a magnet with “The Code of the West” on my fridge and look at it daily.
“The Code of the West” offers simple, yet great wisdom as listed below.
1) Live Each Day with Courage
2) Take Pride in Your Work
3) Always Finish What You Start
4) Do What Has To Be Done
5) Be Tough, But Fair
6) When You Make a Promise, Keep It
7) Ride for the Brand
8) Talk Less and Say More
9) Remember That Some Things Aren’t For Sale
10) Know Where to Draw the Line
The first time I read “The Code of the West” I didn’t pay much attention to what it was really saying, but since then I have evaluated each step of the code numerous times in many different ways. Of course, the wisdom “The Code of the West” gives can apply and was probably intended to apply to ranchers and agricultural producers in the west, but it can also apply to us as students.
As a student, we likely interpret the wisdom a little different than a cowboy, but it still applies. We have to live each day with courage. I mean, honestly, some classes can be pretty rough. It is important for us, as students, to take pride in our work, finish what we start, and do what has to be done. Even when the homework is never ending and it would be so easy just to give up on it, just keep going because you get out of your homework what you put into it and it has to be done. As a student, the ‘be tough, but fair’ phrase is a little more complicated. Throughout school, it is important to be tough on yourself by setting goals and limits, but also realizing that you need to be fair to yourself because not every goal and limit you set can be reached. Though it may not apply directly to school, an important life lesson is to keep any and all promises you make. Ride for the brand, represent the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources the right way! Put simply, to talk less and say more means not to use a bunch of meaningless talk. Speak up when you have a great idea or something important to say… that is saying more by speaking less. Remember that some things (grades) aren’t for sale. You can’t buy the grade you want, but instead, it is important to do the work necessary to get the grade you wish you could buy. In the end, you will get what you deserve and will be a better person because of it. Meanwhile, know where to draw the line. If you don’t overstep your boundaries, you might find it easier to be respected.
All in all, I think “The Code of the West” can teach us many valuable lessons. Each one of us may interpret it a little differently, but in the end, living by “The Code of the West” will make you aware of much more and should also help to analyze the situation more ethically.