Remembering Ronald Reagan: Actor, President, and Cowboy

Every February 6, I find myself thinking about leadership.

Not the kind that dominates headlines or trends on social media—but the kind that steadies a nation. The kind that rests on faith, values, and a moral compass. The kind our Founding Fathers believed every president should possess.

For me, that reflection always leads back to a few good men.

Instead of celebrating the all-inclusive “Presidents’ Day,” which asks us to honor every president—deserving and otherwise—I’ve chosen to focus on the leaders I truly respect, and to honor them on their birthdays.

This post begins a series I call Three Lives, One Steady Character—a reflection on leaders whose public roles never eclipsed the private character that defined them.

Today, the spotlight shines on Ronald Reagan.

He wasn’t perfect. No leader ever is. But he was principled. Courageous. Faithful. And deeply committed to this country and the people he served.

On this day, his birthday, I’d like to remember him through the three “lives” he lived—each one shaping the steady leader he became.

Before he ever stood behind a presidential podium, Ronald Reagan stood in front of cameras.

He built a successful career in Hollywood, appearing in dozens of films and becoming president of the Screen Actors Guild.

Acting taught him how to communicate, how to listen, and how to tell stories that resonated with everyday people.

But somewhere along the way, he began to feel called to something more.

He watched the political landscape change. He saw freedoms threatened. And he believed he could serve in a different way.

Reagan’s acting background wasn’t a weakness—it was a gift.

He understood timing.

He understood tone.

He understood how words could inspire.

More importantly, he understood people.

That ability later earned him the nickname “The Great Communicator.” He didn’t just speak to audiences. He connected with them.

And that connection would become one of his greatest strengths.

When Ronald Reagan became president in 1981, the world was tense.

The Cold War was at its height. Nuclear threats loomed. America’s confidence had been shaken.

Just months into his presidency, Reagan survived an assassination attempt that nearly took his life. Yet even in recovery, he maintained humor, grace, and resolve.

He never ruled from fear.

Instead, he led with strength.

He confronted the Soviet Union directly. He stood firm against tyranny. And in 1987, standing in Berlin, he delivered words that still echo through history:

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

It wasn’t bravado. It was conviction.

And the wall did fall.

Reagan proved that strength doesn’t require cruelty.

He worked across party lines.

He sought compromise without surrendering principles.

He treated opponents with respect.

Even those who disagreed with him often respected him.

He believed leadership required faith—faith in God, faith in country, and faith in the principles on which America was built.

And he lived those beliefs, not just spoke them.

Away from Washington and Hollywood, Ronald Reagan was something else entirely.

He was a rancher.

At his California ranch, he rode horses, chopped wood, repaired fences, and worked the land. He valued self-reliance, responsibility, and humility.

This wasn’t a photo opportunity. It was who he was.

He loved wide-open spaces.

He loved hard work.

He loved simplicity.

And those values grounded him.

Reagan’s time on the ranch kept him connected to reality.

He understood labor.

He respected working people.

He knew leadership wasn’t about privilege—it was about stewardship.

Those roots shaped his character.

They reminded him that authority should be carried with humility.

Ronald Reagan’s legacy isn’t just historical. It’s instructional.

He showed us that leaders can be:

☑️ Strong without being harsh

☑️ Faithful without being fanatical
☑️ Confident without being arrogant
☑️ Principled without being inflexible

He did what leaders are supposed to do: lead by example.

🌟 He worked with opponents.

🌟 He honored his marriage.

🌟 He remained loyal to his values.

🌟 He accepted responsibility for mistakes.

And through it all, Americans felt safe.

Prosperous.

Respected.

The world knew where we stood.

That kind of leadership isn’t outdated. It’s rare.

And it’s needed.