By Rusty Potter
I spent many of my teenage years helping my dad, Mr. Earnest Potter, raise cattle. The early mornings and long evenings taught me more about life than I ever realized at the time. One lesson, in particular, still sticks with me today—and it came from watching how cows react to change.
Whenever we built a new fence or added a new gate, we could always count on the same reaction from the cows. They would walk up to that new gate, stop, and stare at it. They wouldn’t walk through. They wouldn’t turn away. They would simply stand there, wide-eyed and uncertain, as if the new gate was some mysterious invention from out of space.
But as funny as that sight was, it taught me something important. Cows don’t like change. They get comfortable with their routine – the same pasture, the same water trough, the same path every day. When something changes, even something small, it throws them off balance. They have to take time to adjust before they move forward. Eventually, they’ll go through the gate and learn it’s okay, but that first moment of change always stops them cold.
Life isn’t much different for us. Change is constant – whether it’s a new job, a move to a new city, a change in relationships, or just the changing seasons of life. Many times, we stand at the “new gates” in our lives, staring at them, unsure of what to do next. We’re hesitant, afraid to take the first step because the old way felt familiar and safe.
But here’s the truth: success belongs to those who learn to adapt quickly. The faster you can adjust to change, the faster you can grow. Life doesn’t wait for anyone to get comfortable – it keeps moving. Just like those cows eventually learn that the new gate leads to a fresh pasture, we must trust that change can lead to new opportunities.
Change is part of progress. It’s the doorway to new beginnings. The next time life puts you in front of a “new gate”, don’t just stand there staring. Take a breath, trust the process, and walk through. The other side might just hold your next big breakthrough.
Remember: life rewards the adaptable. Whether you’re a student, a business owner, or someone just trying to find your way, learn to move forward – even when things look unfamiliar.
Because in the end, the only difference between a cow and a person is this – the cow stands and stares, but the successful person walks through the gate. Leaders don’t just stare at new gates – they open them, walk through, and lead others to follow.
