I've read this series of posts a bunch of times and keep coming back to it.
I'm not sure this fits here, but let me relate something really showed me the "Cowboy Way" and has affected me deeply since it happened. The "Cowboy Way" is out there - I once found it very close to home and it provided me a good lesson.
I was at the local supermarket, picking up a few items and waiting third or so in the express line to check out. One of the local centers for developmentally challenged citizens had brought a number of their residents to the store do do their grocery shopping.
One of these folks - a fellow in his mid thirties, I'd guess, was having his half dozen items rung up. Nothing special, some snacks, toiletries, a TV dinner or two - normal stuff. It turned out he was a bit short of cash by a dollar or two. The clerk was doing the "what do you want to do about it, should I call the manager?" thing.
He was having a problem figuring out how much he needed and was trying unsuccessfully to find some more money in his wallet, front /back pockets, etc. He was getting flustered, embarassed and a bit panicky. The folks in line were getting impatient, annoyed, rolling their eyes, and giving him "the look", etc.
At this point, the fellow immediately behind him in line pointed to one of the TV dinners, and quietly asked the clerk to please ring it up on with his items. It was all very low-key and it you weren't right there, you'd never have noticed it. The clerk put it in the first fellow's bag, who calmed down quickly and mumbled his thanks as he went outside to board his bus back to the residence.
It was one of the kindest, most decent things I've ever seen anyone do - ever! To me it was not the money (a few bucks maybe?) - it was this fellow seeing someone having a problem and not thinking twice putting himself out a bit to make it right -while letting one of our challenged citizens keep his dignity.
That, to me, is the essence of the Cowboy Way.
When I am at a CAS match and find myself getting a little impatient with someone who may be having a problem or is slower than some think appropriate - I remember the time I really saw the Cowboy Way in action - and then do the right thing.
Thanks for listening,
Sabino Bob