By Wayne Weiner, D.Ed.
When I was a kid, the future seemed as wide open as the Wild West. Some kids dreamed of being spacemen, astronauts, policemen, or firemen. Not me—I wanted to be a cowboy. I wanted to be a cowboy so much that my parents had to wait until I was sound asleep to pry my cowboy hat off my head. It wasn’t just a phase; it was a mission.
Hollywood’s cowboys were my heroes. From John Wayne to Roy Rogers, they rode into town, defeated the bad guys, and rode off into the sunset. They stood for justice, grit, and a healthy respect for leather boots. I wanted to be that hero—minus the spurs, which looked like they’d be murder on the furniture.
Fast forward a few decades, and while I never got my cowboy moment (yet), my admiration for that frontier spirit hasn’t waned. Toby Keith captured that essence in his songs—the blend of honor, resilience, and, let’s be honest, a little swagger. In honor of him, I penned a little tribute song that celebrates not just cowboys but the universal yearning to be someone who makes a difference, even if you don’t get to ride off into a literal sunset.
If you want to join my posse of modern-day justice-seekers, check out my URL: https://drweinerinsights.com. Whether you’re wrangling spreadsheets or steering a nonprofit, there’s a cowboy spirit in all of us.
Oh, and if you have friends in Texas, feel free to share the song with them. After all, the Republic of Texas practically invented cowboy culture, and they know a thing or two about chasing dreams in wide-open spaces.
About Wayne Weiner, D.Ed.
Wayne Weiner, D.Ed., is an author, philosopher, and worldwide consultant known for his innovative coaching actions. With over 40 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Wayne has served as Director of Education at Harvard Teaching Hospital and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He later founded his own consulting firm, working with federal agencies, international corporations, Native American communities, and even a White House cabinet member.
For the past decade, Wayne has been the Senior Leadership Consultant to the National Institutes of Health, helping future leaders rise to their potential. A prolific writer, he’s penned 20 novels and countless articles blending humor, insight, and wisdom.
Immanuel Kant once said, “Moral dilemmas are not a mathematical system of good and evil.” Wayne interprets this as proof that doing good doesn’t always come with a roadmap or immediate payoff—but it’s always worth the ride.
Ride along with Wayne at https://drweinerinsights.com. Just don’t forget your hat!
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