LIMOUSIN TODAY LimToday_November18_WEB | Page 49

Limi Boosters Latest A New Perspective By Julie Ochsner, Limi Boosters president Sometimes when we listen closely to the perspective of our NALJA members, the reasons why we do the things we do, become perfectly clear. After a recent experience at school, here are some thoughts my middle child posted on Facebook. “A couple of days ago, a teacher of mine had a question on the board that every person in the class had to answer. It was nothing new, she had written this to check attendance, but this question stopped me in my tracks. “If you could be a different person for a day, who would you be?” While many before me had clever answers, I couldn’t think of one reason why I would want to be anyone else. Now, I’m not saying my life is perfect because most days it feels like every plan goes haywire. And, it’s not that I don’t look at people around me and think, why can’t I be like them, because after all, I am a high school girl. But, I honestly do LOVE my life. A big part of this is because I have found something in the agriculture industry that fills me with pure joy and gives me purpose. Because I have grown up in the agriculture industry, I wake up each morning knowing I have something to look forward to, someone within the industry to look up to and something that few are blessed with. Growing up in the cattle industry, you get unique and exclusive opportunities. You get to watch life begin at calving time, your hard work pay-off during weaning time and your goals achieved when those calves become mature cows and bulls. You get to be in junior breed associations, 4-H and FFA. The goal of these organizations is to encourage you to grow and become the person you are supposed to be. Success is not focused on your GPA or your popularity, but instead the focus is on helping kids grow and learn through experiences, the most valuable way to learn. Industry leaders are your teachers and your friends are your classmates. These friendships are built on long hauls, intense card games and a mutual set of values that are second-to-none. To sum up what I’m trying to say, I am proud to be involved in production agriculture and all the opportunities and friendships it has blessed me with. Thank you to my parents and family that have raised me around cows, thank you to those who have gone before me and thank you, Jesus, for letting me live the life I do!” What a different world we would live in if we could help every young person in America find something to do that fills them with pure joy and gives them purpose! While that seems like a huge task, we can all certainly start by helping those in our circle of influence. The purpose of the Limi Boosters is to do just that, by supporting our NALJA members with college scholarships and through positive activities like the beef cook-off contest at the national junior show. I’m thankful for everyone in our Limousin family that joins us in this noble cause. During this season of Thanksgiving, I’m forever grateful our children have had the opportunity to be NALJA members. They are blessed to have had many of you serve as their mentors, role models and encouragers over the years. You are the people they look up to. May you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends! I LIMOUSIN Today | 47