There are those in this industry that would have someone crucified for the littlest mistake. They seem to never forget the wrongs people have done and yet can’t remember the good things they have done as well. While I totally understand the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression,” I also think of what Mahatma Gandhi said, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
Since starting the Bullvine we have always tried to profile breeders who were “doing it right.” By that we mean breeders who were trying to do the best they could. Breeders who were trying new things such as using social media to market their cows, or individuals who have faced great adversity to achieve outstanding success. More recently some of our selections for whom to profile has come under attack by profiling some individuals with a colored past. To answer that I come back to being strong enough to forgive. People do make mistakes and I think they should be punished. But they should be forgiven and given the opportunity for a second chance. There’s nothing as exciting as a comeback – seeing someone with dreams, watching them fail, and then getting a second chance. We are human beings. When you forgive, you in no way change the past – but rather you work at changing the future.
Sex, Religion and Politics – Three of our favorite things
Now it may seem I have gone all religious on you here, which is something the Bullvine may have stayed clear of in the past. I do understand those three things they tell you never to write about: Sex, Religion and Politics. Well since starting the Bullvine we have already talked about Sex and Politics, so why leave religion out of it?
Today marks Good Friday, the religious holiday celebrated by Christians around the world commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In this holy week, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins. That is correct. It’s at this time God gave his only Son to forgive or sins.
Now before I offend those who are not Christian, remember that, most world religions include the teaching of forgiveness. Buddhism teaches that forgiveness is a practice for removing unhealthy emotions that would otherwise cause harm to our mental well-being. Judaism teaches that ideally a person who has caused harm, needs to sincerely apologize, then the wronged person is religiously bound to forgive. However, even without an apology, forgiveness is considered a pious act. In Islam the word Islam itself is derived from the Semitic word slm meaning “peace” and forgiveness is a prerequisite for genuine peace. No matter what religion you practice there is no question that forgiveness is a key part.
Let He Who Is Without Sin Cast the First Stone
Over the course of the past year there is no question we here at the Bullvine have tried to push the limits of traditional thinking. We have tried to bring awareness to issues and conversations that most would not touch with a ten-foot pole. Several times our tactics have come under fire by some as being to risqué or even stepping over that line. And I totally understand that.
What I ask for is forgiveness and understanding. Understanding that our intentions are good even if our execution sometimes lacks. Moreover, forgive us for those times when we do cross that line. Because sometimes when you walk that line, it’s hard to know when you have crossed over it.
The Bullvine Bottom Line
The weak never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong. On this Good Friday it could be the perfect time to offer forgiveness to those who have done wrong?
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Learning the Saw-Dusty Trail
From Heads and Tails to Setting Sales
Fortunes, Favorites and Fatherhood!
“I grew up in Madison WI, exactly 2 miles south of the World Dairy Expo grounds.” So begins what could be a simple diary entry. But there is nothing simple about the writing of Carrie Mess who was raised in the heart of dairy land but not exactly part of it – at least not in the beginning. “Aside from seeing lots of cattle trailers on the Beltline as a kid, I had zero connection to dairy farms.” That all changed when Carrie met Patrick Mess whose family has been in the dairy business for generations. “After we got married I left my job in town and started working on the farm. We knew we wanted farming to be a part of our future but I had no idea if I could hack it on a dairy farm. I literally knew nothing about cows when I started but fell in love fast and found what I believe is the path I was meant to be on.” Those who know Carrie wholeheartedly agree.
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The timing was right for Frey who had graduated from Centre College in 1998 with a degree in International Economics. He outlines his career path, “From there I worked in a bank. The banking business didn’t enthuse me so I applied for a job with this international animal health company called Alltech. I had never heard of it, but after interviewing, seeing the marketing philosophy, etc, I realized that this is something that I could get into. I’ve been with Alltech for 14 years. When I started we were an $85M company with about 500 people. Now, we should hit about $800M in annual sales with 3000 employees.”
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