Finding My Why | Wyoming Lifestyle Blog

As I cruised along the interstate more than 200 miles from home listening to dire weather predictions, I couldn’t help but think “Why do I do this?”

It was a Friday afternoon in mid-November and I was headed to Buffalo, Wyoming, to help ith the FIRE and CPC Wyoming FFA Leadership conferences.  Wyokiddo was in the backseat, her head bent over a new coloring book while I drove and practiced my presentation in my head.

But why?  Why was I even here, on this road, to begin with?  Time away from my husband, bad roads, late nights, early mornings, missed school, getting behind on photography work…why was I doing this again?  What was it in for me, exactly?

My why found me as I sat with our college age presenters and they took a moment to pray together before the conference started.  I watched as two of my favorite past state officers instinctually reached for one another’s hands to hold in prayer and fellowship.

This wasn’t a religious or political statement.  This was two young women, holding each other up, before a big moment.  It was a visual representation of the amazing friendships fostered through FFA, that start at conferences just like this.

As they clutched each other’s hands, their heads bowed and touching slightly, I found that why.  Just a few hours ago, I had been running on empty.  But now, my cup was full again, my heart glad and ready to serve.

My why is the choruses of “Mrs. Milner! You’re here!” and high fives from the current state officers when I walked into the room where they were practicing.  It’s the hugs and smiles and “We miss you!” from past state officers that I adore.  It is catching up with my college roommate and members of my state officer team in the back of the room and the look of excitement and anticipation on the faces of the 400 members just before the conference starts

And it’s:

• Watching a freshman FFA member summon up all her courage and walk up to a group of kids she didn’t know and introduce herself
• Late night conversations about how we can make next year’s conference better when we really should be sleeping.
• Junior and senior members mulling over a complicated motion or issue and discussing how this will benefit future members, not just themselves.

It’s, as the new television show says, a million little things.  Friendships, discovery, motivation, service.

Ghandi said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Sometimes it takes 400 FFA members, nine state officers and some amazing old friends to teach me that lesson.

Teresa

(Photo credit: Madison Anderson)