While at a roping one day in Arizona I overheard a conversationa dad was having with his son. Itwas right before the short roundand his kid was really nervous. It might have been the fi rst time he'd made it back to the short round and he was sitting high call. His dad went on to explain his analogy and it was quite powerful and applies to really any aspect of life. Whatever happens good or bad you can't get shook up about it, you have to remain calm. Unlike a bottle of soda, if you shake one up and open it, it will explode all over the place. A bottle of water, no matter what it goes through will remain the same when you open it.

During my time in Arizona, I was able to rope a lot. I also was fortunate to make the short go quite a few times. Sometimes I'd feel more pressure than other times and it really didn't matter what call I was, how fast I needed to be, or how much money was up. I believe it all came down to how mentally prepared I was because that's what I think hurts us more than any other thing. Some days I'd be doubting myself, my horse, or not feeling I should have entered in a certain roping. The reality is; whether you think you can or you can't, you're right. It's been one of the biggest obstacles I'm still trying to overcome because at the end of the day I'm my biggest downfall. I feel confi dent in my horses, my swing, but what hinders me the most is what's between my ears.

The older I get the more I realize how much of our potential is trapped in who we think we are or aren't. I spent a lot of time in Arizona listening to other ropers, how they mentally prepare, things they've picked up over the years that work for them or don't work. I was appreciative of the people that took the time to visit with me, and the heelers that took a chance and roped with me.Win or lose there was always something to take away from every roping. The most important is to remain a bottle of water, no matter what.