SPIRITUAL TIDBITS

Spiritual Tidbits are bits of wisdom from Master Rose.

A new tidbit is posted on the first of every month.​

NOVEMBER 2025

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I WANNA BE A COWBOY

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Our childhood passions always contain clues about our life’s mission, starting with what we wanted to be when we grew up. I wanted to be a Cowboy, not a Cowgirl, but a Cowboy. Cowboys always had the best horses, fancy saddles, wonderful outfits, and often wore white hats. Cowgirls usually had second-rate horses, plain saddles, and mediocre outfits.​

     I wanted to be a cowboy like the Lone Ranger, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers. I was especially affected by the Lone Ranger because he would always slip away at the end, just as people were about to lavish praise on him. His motive for helping people was not to receive praise or recognition; he did it because it was the right thing to do.

     The first time I shared my dream of becoming a cowboy with an adult, I was told that it was ridiculous; I’d have to pick a real career.

     Despite the lack of encouragement, I continued to fantasize about becoming a Cowboy. I asked Santa for a western outfit, a hat, and a pair of six-shooter cap guns in a holster. I spent the money I earned riding horses at a nearby park. I couldn’t afford to buy a horse, so I saved up enough money to buy a used fancy saddle, just in case.

     My favorite class was religion, where I was shown pictures of saints with halos around their heads. They were described as holy people, with a special connection to God. They had helped people, performed special deeds, and stood for what was right, no matter the consequences. It sounded to me that, except for the horse and the fancy outfits, they were describing a Cowboy who had a special connection to God. My new life goal was to become a Cowboy who was a holy person. I wanted this because I had a knowing that if I lived my life this way, I would be happy.

     My passion led me to collect horse statues and pictures, study horse anatomy, and read horse stories. I was particularly moved by the Black Beauty story. After reading it, I decided that when I grew up, I would save horses and teach people that horses had thoughts and emotions and could communicate with others.

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     When I was in high school, I signed up for Professor Berry’s mail-order course on horse training. It came with a free Roman training bridle and cost $80, payable in $2 a month increments. I read the course over and over until I felt that I was ready to train horses, but I had to wait until I was 40 years of age to begin the endeavor.

     I focused on being a holy person every step of the way. When I was in high school I joined the sodality of the Blessed Mother. I pledged to recite the rosary daily, spend time each day in fervent prayer and meditation, and attend mass three times a week.

     Our school celebrated mass every Friday, my mother and I attended mass together on Sundays, but the only way I could attend a third mass was to get up at dawn on Saturdays and walk a few miles to the local church and back. I did this in all sorts of weather, be it rain, snow, freezing temperatures, or heat. I never suffered in the process. I was happy and grateful to have things that I could do help me become a holy person.

     Don Camilo’s conversations were filled with humor and wisdom. The books inspired me to talk to Jesus myself. I asked questions and was often amazed by the answers I received. I won’t claim that they were actually from Jesus himself, but I am certain that they didn’t come from me.

     Later in life, I dissected the elements of why I passionately wanted to be a Cowboy and I saw my mission outlined as clear as day. My cowboy heroes were all about helping people, not for praise but because it was the right thing to do. They had special partnerships with their horses, and they had loyal sidekicks, people who shared their passion and helped them do good deeds.

     The saints also did the right thing, despite negative consequences. They were holy people who had a special connection to God.

     As an adult, I ended up becoming a spiritual advisor and Swanéte spiritual master. I did good deeds because it was the right thing to do. I rescued horses and partnered with them to teach individuals about self-awareness and to offer therapy to physically and mentally challenged children and adults. I had a group of loyal sidekicks who joined me in my work. And I acquired some great western outfits and hats.​​​

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“White hats and halos have a lot in common.”

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