The Appeal of Westerns

I grew up on Westerns.

TV shows and movies both. And cowboy music. To this day, I have a lingering desire to be a cowgirl whenever I watch or listen to the genre. They will always have an enduring place in my heart because of the messages/lifestyle/simplicity that is portrayed.

Wide open spaces.

I may have lived all my life (up until a few months ago anyway) in southern California. But I am not sure I totally qualify as a city girl. Sitting around a campfire and looking up at the stars is the greatest. And there is such possibility in wide open spaces.

Independence and less government interference.

I am not saying there wasn’t government in the Old West. I am certain the army was of big assistance and each town had to set up some form of law and government in order to attract people to live in the town. But you also had to protect yourself and help protect your neighbors from the bad guys, the weather/elements, disease, etc. Which would build both community and independence.

Opportunity and risk.

The life of a cowboy, rancher, business owner, lawman, doctor, or dentist in the old west posed a lot of risk. Disease could destroy whole herds of cattle. Weather could destroy your home. Being a doctor could mean dangerous rides long distances to help patients, or patients who ultimately wanted to harm you. Or you might be the person who needed a doctor, but he was too far away for you. There were abundant opportunities for crooked people to abound, and destroy your business. But there were abundant opportunities for good decent hardworking people too. You could work hard with your hands and achieve whatever you set your mind to. And the west was settled because of people who saw the opportunity as greater than the risk.

So find yourself a classic Western to watch this week.

Let yourself enjoy a film that reminds you of the values of simplicity and the opportunities you have when you are willing to take risks and embrace freedom.