I believe

Will Rogers, Mark Twain and a few others of their like have been favorites of mine for as long as I can remember. Their matter-of-fact, common sense statements and straightforward manner of “telling it like they see it” often leave me nodding in agreement and wondering why I hadn’t thought of it that way. These philosophers seldom minced words concerning their personal views and what they stood for.

My years of hunting have not only kept my freezer full but also provided a lot of thinking time. Woods and mountains clear my head and improve inward vision. And every so often a thought comes along that expresses how I feel or what I believe.

Years ago, I started a list of these personal beliefs and only recently began sharing a few of them at speaking engagements. While they’re not profound or poetic, they express what I believe.

I don’t expect everyone to share my viewpoints but hopefully one or two will cause you to ponder your own principles.
I believe that every person, whether they choose to hunt or not, needs to know where food really comes from.
I believe that everyone has a gift and those who use it and share it are the happiest.
I believe that laughter feeds the soul, loosens the hide … and sometimes the bladder.
I believe that not one buck, bull or gobbler I’ve shot cared one whit about my gender.
I believe that common sense and woodsmanship will always be the deadliest weapons any hunter can possess.
I believe that tagging one monster buck or huge longbeard makes you a lucky hunter … not an expert.
I believe that anyone who claims to make a perfect heart shot every time is a liar.
I believe it is a shame to wholly depend on the World Wide Web for information and answers while allowing the wisdom and experience of our elders to go untapped.
I believe the satisfaction of the hunt cannot be measured by the score of an animal.
I believe there are two things I will never learn to tolerate: rude people and anything with a crank rope.
I believe the source of common sense must be dirt, since folks raised on dirt generally have a lot more of it than those raised on concrete.

— Brenda Valentine

Keep up with Brenda and her adventures at www.brendavalentine.com