"That's Not Why I Rode"

     Sometimes the pull of the limelight can be strong. Sometimes I think about how I might look in the eyes of others if I do this or that. If it is a good idea, I think about how cool I will seem in the eyes of others. And if it’s a bad idea, I think about how bad I will look. Regardless of how I think I look in the eyes of others, this should not be the focus nor the reason for doing something, however motivating that may be. These thoughts have led me to remember a movie I enjoyed as a child and while it has been a while, I think I would still enjoy it as an adult. That movie is “The Man from Snowy River.” Let me try to tie in a part of this movie to my ramblings about the limelight. 

To begin with, I must share that the movie is based on an 1890 poem of the same name and is about an Australian cowboy. In the movie, the cowboy’s name is Jim Craig. Jim’s father dies (spoiler) when some wild horses charge through an area where he and his father are felling logs. The logs fall on his father who dies in Jim’s arms. Jim eventually goes to work for a big rancher played by Kirk Douglas. Jim falls in love with the rancher’s daughter, Jessica and befriends the rancher’s brother, also played by Kirk Douglas.  

When one of the prized colts of the rancher runs off with a herd of wild horses the rancher puts out a reward to get the colt back. Many cowboys show up to lend a hand at gathering up the herd in an effort to earn a share of the reward money. A great chase ensues to try to bring the wild horses and beloved colt back to the ranch. Jim fends off foul play by other cowboys and eventually the horses ride down a steep cliff. All the cowboys pull up short knowing this to be a dangerous place to follow after the horses. The only one who confidently is able to follow the horses down the steep hill is Jim and his horse.

Jim eventually gathers up the horses single handedly and returns them back to the corral. The rancher approaches Jim and holds out the reward money to which Jim replies, “That’s not why I rode.” 

This phrase, “That’s not why I rode” is what has stuck out to me with regards to motives for doing things. There may be many reasons why I do things, some good and others less so, but I certainly hope my motives will always be pure and not out of a desire to be seen as good in the eyes of others. That is not to say that I will always be altruistic in my desires, but hopefully I can find a “why” that has more to do with money, fame, or the proverbial spotlight.