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13 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOURSELF MOTIVATED2022-02-24T20:51:59+00:00

As we all have experienced, some days you wake up motivated and ready to go. And some days things feel heavy as you start the day and it is hard to get going and find that inner drive.

At least in my experience.

I have found some simple and smart strategies that work for me to get back into the right groove, get motivated and get things done.
Here are 13 of my favorite tips and habits for doing just that.

1. Fail Forward

Remember with each failure you are getting closer to your goal. I see this so much with my clients – they are afraid of failing so they never get started. Guess what? YOU WILL FAIL. We all do!

You try something and it didn’t work out the way you have planned. That’s okay. Just keep moving forward and try again.

I have failed so many times in life, or what appeared to be failures. In fact, they were just life lessons that taught me to do things better or to change things around. Don’t let the fear of failing stop you.

2. Let Motivation Catch Up With You

You don’t have to wait for motivation to get started. If you want to work in a consistent way every day then sometimes you just have to get going anyway.
And the funny thing is that after I have worked for a while things feel easier and easier and more fun and the motivation catches up with me.

3. Start Small 

If a project or task feels too big and daunting don’t let that lead you into procrastination.

Instead, break it down into small steps, and then take just one of them to start moving forward. It doesn’t matter how small the task just get started.

4. Put the Phone Down

Or whatever distracts you….Reduce your daily distractions.
When you have easily accessible distractions all around you then it becomes hard to focus.

So shut the door to your office or your workspace.  Put your smart phone in silent mode or away from your immediate vision. Something that helps me is to go to a coffee shop, put my earbuds in, turn on motivating music and dive into work.

5. Get a Business Coach 

Or an accountability partner that will help you stay on track with your goals. Met with them weekly, bi monthly or monthly so you have someone to keep you accountable to what you want to achieve. By doing this you’ll be a lot less likely to try to weasel out of things or give up at the first obstacle.

6. Surround Yourself With Positive People

Choose your friends wisely and spend time with people who motivate you, encourage you and support you and your dreams.

Spend less time with negative people who always look at the dark or apathetic side of things.

7. Get Motivation From Outside Sources

There are a ton of books, motivational quotes, podcasts, blogs and success stories out there that you can tap into to up or renew your motivation.

This has been a great way for me to tap into my own motivation especially during this time of quarantine and spending more time by myself.

8. Play Music That Gives You Energy

This is a big one for me. One of the simplest things I do when I feel low in energy or motivation is to play music that is upbeat and/or inspires me in some way.

A break with a few songs or working while listening to them for a while usually works well.

9. Find The Optimism

Look at the positive side of life. Positive and constructive way of looking at things can energize and recharge your motivation.

So when you’re in what looks like a negative situation ask yourself questions like:

What’s one thing that’s good about this? And what’s one hidden opportunity here? What is this teaching me?

​Remember pessimism can drain both your motivation and energy.

10. Be Kind To Yourself

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of beating yourself when you stumble or fail. We ALL FAIL! Just remember you are failing forward. Just let it go and move on.
Next time you stumble or feel like you failed:  be kind to yourself, nudge yourself back on the path you were on and take one small step forward.

11.  Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

Only Compare yourself to yourself and see how far you have come.

We are all on our own journey with our own unique life and life lessons. By comparing ourselves with others we only fall into the dark hole of would of, could of, should of and that will NEVER get you where you what to be and will certainly keep you down and in the dark side of life.

12. Remind Yourself Of Your Why

What is your why?? When you’re feeling unmotivated and low in energy it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing something.

So take 2 minutes and write down your top 3 reasons for doing this work, getting an education, working out, saving that extra money or whatever it may be.

I put a reminder on my phone that alerts me every morning and everynight of my why. It is short and simple but everytime I see it I am reminded of why I do what I do and what I am working towards.

13. Always Be Grateful 

When motivation is running low it’s easy to start seeing your life and the aspects of it through a negative lens. I call it going to the dark side.

When this starts to happen, stop and write down 3 things you are thankful for right then and there.
​
When you focus on what you have and who you are and are thankful your motivation and energy shifts. Remember there is always something to be thankful for in your life. I recommend writing down every morning three things you are grateful for in your life. Do this everyday and within no time there will be a shift in your energy. u were on and take one small step forward.

BEING RESILIENT AND ACCEPTANCING DURING A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY2022-02-24T20:52:28+00:00

We all have one thing in common: We are all facing this time of uncertainty and the unknown. We are full of anxiety, worry and stress about what may or may not happen. I invite you to take this time to shift your focus on what it right in front of you and be present in this very moment. Worrying and stressing does not solve anything. As I write that sentence, I am saying it out loud to myself as well. Because like you I am also worried about what the future will hold.

What I have learned during this pandemic so far is that I have been given and opportunity; an opportunity to challenge myself to become stronger, lasered focused about my goals ( in all areas of my life ), more vulnerable with my self and others and an opportunity to really look at the shadows of myself that hold me back.  My fears, thoughts that do not serve me, bad habits, people in my life and even my desires. All these things have held me back in one way or another because I allowed them to. At one point in my life I  have allowed all these outside thoughts and beliefs to derail me from my mission. My life’s work and passion.

I know I am not alone in this at all and we have all been there especially during this time of unknown. Please do not think that I have not have a meltdown during all this because I definitely have and more than once. The little thought that creeps into your head and gets bigger and bigger and before you know it, your entire day was spent in fear and worry.  What this time and opportunity have given me is time to practice really training my thoughts so I do not become derailed for hours or a day. I am allowing myself to have the feeling, notice it, recognize it and let it pass through my like the wind.  Emotions are good. Let them come up but also allow them to move through you. Emotion is motion. They need to move through you but until you recognize them, observe them as the observer and let them go they will stay and only build.

I know all that is easy to say but when you are in the trap of fear and worry of the unknown how do you get out of that cycle? Here are a couple things that have helped me throughout my life and now during this time of uncertainty.

1, Journaling – writing has always helped me work through things that are going on in my life and in my head. Writing your thoughts and feelings down can be very therapeutic. I think of it as I am passing it on to the universe so I do not need to hold on to it any longer.  I trust the universe, the process and what is happening in my life to teach me the things that I need to help serve others better.

2. Exercise – Just get up and move. I don’t care what it is. Walk the dog, take up a new exercise routine or continue to follow your yoga practice at home. Whatever it is just move. Moving your body increasing your endorphins, blood flow and gets things going. I started running and a 30 day yoga challenge. Whatever it is, Start now and start moving.

3. Get outside – Being outside, letting the sun kiss your face is one of the most therapeutic things you can do. Read outside, do some yard work or play with your kids. Whatever is it make sure to get outside everyday.

4. Have a routine – Remember with structure we find freedom. I know it is difficult during this time being spend at home to find structure and routine but I challenge you to do so. It will help you stay focus, feel accomplished and in the end create freedom in your life. Choose a couple goals and think about how you will feel once you completed it. Get Creative!

5. Be prepared – We need to be prepared and safe but being hysterical and overreacting does not help us or our community. Get what you need, stay at home and follow all the recommendations and guidelines that we care given. Limit your time watching the news to once a day so you can be up to date on the situation but do not inundate yourself.

6. Get connected – Reach out to family and friends, have phone dates, game night through zoom, whatever you choice just keep connected to your family, friends, co workers and clients. This is so important during this time when we are isolated. I encourage you to set up a weekly time to talk to your family, friends, have a date night through facetime, game night or just a girls night in with some wine and a zoom call. I know this has helped me tremendously during this time while I am in Florida and the rest of my family is across different parts of the country. Please stay connected.

7. Be grateful – Several times a day be grateful. Set an alarm on your phone a couple times a day to remind yourself to stop what you are doing and be grateful. Be grateful for all the wonderful people in your life, family, friends, your home, your animals, your healthy, No matter what is going on in your life you can ALWAYS find something to be grateful for,

And remember this too shall pass. Stay strong my friends and know we will come out on the other side of this stronger.

SELF CARE TIPS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS2022-02-24T20:52:30+00:00

Owning your own business, starting a new business and being an entrepreneur is a stressful and overwhelming undertaking. We are often terrible at taking care of ourselves because there is just too much to do and the list is never ending.
We need to remember that if we do not take care of ourselves we will have nothing to give to others or our business. Here are some self care tips that I have learned and put into my own practice that will help you to start managing your health and well-being from the inside out.
👉CREATED “ME TIME” IN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE. For me this is in the mornings with my cup of tea, my journal and planning my day and getting centered.
👉EXERCISE DAILY. We all know how important and essential it is to move EVERY SINGLE DAY! This can be a walk after work, riding horses, going to a yoga class or pumping iron at the gym. Whatever gets you out and moving just do it every day.
👉LEARN TO SAY NO. This is a hard one but an absolute must when developing and running your own business. You can not do it all (even though we want to) and it’s okay.
👉FIND WAYS TO UNWIND EVERYDAY. Everyone has their own way of unwinding after the business day. This can be reading a book, playing with your dogs, going out friends, etc. Whatever your unwinding is make sure you get some time in each day to unplug.
👉NOURISH YOUR BODY. Your body is what keeps you going daily and it’s amazing, self healing vessel but we need to respect and take care of it by eating healthy.
👉ENJOY A HOBBY. Everyone needs a break from work and needs to blow off steam. Doing something fun gives your mind a much needed break, so you will be more creative and energized when it comes time to focus.
👉SLEEP. You need to make sleep a priority. Sleep is vital to our well-being. It is when our body heals and repairs itself, and it key to supporting healthy brain function.
👉BE PRESENT. Mindfulness can make a huge difference in one’s life. Learn to pay attention to your moment to moment experiences and focus on connecting with others on a deeper level – all of which are important to your well-being and happiness.

Communication-Part 22022-03-16T23:13:16+00:00

Learning to communicate with your horse is similar to learning a foreign language. Although, you cannot communicate in a language until you have learned the fundamentals of grammar, vocabulary and syntax, you need to hear the language spoken many times to get a feel for its cadence and flow. Likewise, in riding you need to learn how to use your hands and legs effectively to give the aids. You also need to learn the feel of the horse when he is straight, balanced, and rhythmical.  Relaxation enhances your ability to empathize with the horse, and strengthens your ability to feel what you are seeing. This makes the language easier to learn.

While we have learned how to communicate with our aids, practice our balanced seat and relax our body, we must make a commitment to take the risks involved with asking our horse to do exactly what we want, with the expectation that he will listen. The risk of a communication breakdown always exists, we must bravely declare our will despite the possible problems. No risk, no gain. Your horse will quickly let you know if he understands you or not. If not, you can continue to ask, as often as necessary, until he shows you that he understands through a correct response. This risk-taking with a horse is much safer than it is with people.

Miscommunication with a horse is immediately recognizable, because we do not get the outcome we expect. When this happens, we should pause for a moment and try again. If too many retries are necessary, we should walk and review what is happening. Somehow we are not getting the message through to our horse. Re-evaluate what and how you are asking making sure your horse understands what you want.

Misunderstandings, whether with a horse or man, are the root of most problems. Each of us has an obligation to try to avoid failures in communication. The first step is to believe that we do not want to cause harm or discomfort to another being. The second step is to be observant to the response of our communication: we must notice the reactions of our partner. If we notice any reaction other than the one we intended, we must change the way we phrase our question until we are certain that the other party understands what our statement or question means. We can never assume that the other party understands our meaning, we must always closely observe his reaction.  We do this automatically while on our horse. Horses demand an immediate response or they do not know what to do. People do not have this need.   It is important to remember that, whether you are dealing with a horse or human, unsatisfactory communications that remain unresolved do not go away.  The longer they remain, the more negative energy they accumulate. What began as simple misunderstanding can become a resentment, grudge, hostility, or even aggression. Therefore, it is important to resolve ill feelings as soon as possible.

Something I have learned over the years being in the saddle, as well as on the ground teaching,  is to communicated with my instructor. Especially when I was younger, I was afraid to express my concerns, frustrations and especially my fears. Once I started communicating with my instructor about my feelings, problems I was having outside of my lesson and as well as my fears we discovered (together) solutions easier and my problems were solved much more quickly.  Since, instructors are not mind readers, they make decisions based on what they see. Once I started teaching I realized that many hours of frustration could be avoided if students developed the confidence to express themselves to their instructor. Ideally, students should try to achieve a complete communication cycle with their instructor. The student asks a question, the instructor answers, and the student then acknowledges the answer. Effective communication is the essence of teaching, and it is also the fundamental process of learning.

Communication-Part I2022-03-16T23:14:33+00:00

Our conversation with horses is through body language and energy,  rather than through the words that dominate human interchange. Since body language and energy play a major role in our horse interaction, we must learn the art of a new type of communication. In order for our body to be a relaxed and supple communicator, it must be in balance with our mind. Only then can can it offer us the highly refined interaction necessary for the quick, effective conversation we need and desire with our horses.

Our philosophy sets the tone for all forms of communications.  The more we can believe in a positive attitude, unconditional love, and free flowing energy, the more likely it is that out interactions will have a positive outcome. Determining your personal philosophy and purpose in life paves the way for the most effective communication. 

Whether communicating with horse or man, all interactions have a three-part cycle. These three steps are clear and concise; question, answer and acknowledgement. For humans; ” How are you?” “I am doing well.” “That’s good to hear.”  And that’s the three-part cycle for human interactions.  For horses the three-part cycle is a little more subtle; close your legs, then close your hands (question), horse stops (answer), you soften (acknowledgement). Each of these is  a complete part of the communication cycle, and an incomplete cycle opens the door for confusion.

I still remember when I was learning to ride my corners with my young, very green thoroughbred, Chance, and the importance of this concept.  If I forgot to release my leg after Chance responded, he would speed up or pin his ears back. If I forgot to release my hand, he would get harder and harder against my hand. If I held in my seat, Chance would get more and more resistant. All these evasions were a result of Chance’s effort to do what he thought I was asking of him. It took several months to uncover all the different confusions that I was creating because I did not understand the communication formula.

Every aspect of our life is influenced by communication. Intimate disclosures, ones that require us to express what we really feel, are frightening. They frighten us because we are not certain if what we are feeling is acceptable or correct. Our feelings may not match what we think is expected. Riding requires intimate communication. I think it is easier to learn this type of conversation with a horse because a horse is non-threatening, responds without preconceived notions, and is non-judgmental. Intimate communications do not begin until we have learned the fundamental skills of riding. Position, control, and relaxation must become second nature to us, before we can begin to concentrate on communication. The first part of your riding journey encompasses learning position and basic control. While learning these skills you begin by using your hands, legs, and seat to control your horse safely.  Initially, your communication is limited to stop, go, and turn. Ultimately, however, control is through feel, so a rider must be comfortable, confident, and relaxed on the horse. A stiff rider inhibits his horse’s ability to respond, and is deaf to the responses of the horse. As a rider gains experience, these basic fundamental skills will become more refined, creating a solid foundation for more intimate communication.

The relaxation required for basic control of your horse, means that you are comfortable and balanced in your position. Once you decide to specialize in a particular riding discipline, your communication skills will be developed to meet the requirements of the discipline of your choice.  Whatever horse sport you choose, relaxation is a perquisite that allows balance, both with yourself and your horse. Becoming more deeply relaxed allows the muscles to supple, the energy to flow, and the body to move more freely. If you do not feel you are getting the results you want with your horses, you might want to look at your ability to relax both mentally and physically.

Relaxation2022-03-16T23:14:26+00:00

The definition of relaxation includes “the lengthening of inactive muscles or muscle fibers” and “the return or adjustment of a system of equilibrium following  displacement or abrupt change.” Relaxation should exist on three levels: Physical (suppleness), mental (clarity of mind and emotion) and spiritual (freedom from fear, anger, resentment, jealousy and other negative attitudes). The three are related in both humans and horses. Physical relaxation can be destroyed by confusion or fear, thus it is not a simple matter of controlling the length of muscle fibers. In most cases when the mind is the cause of tension, stress, fear or confusion we must try to relax our mind. Even if the cause requires a solution, the starting point is a relaxed mind that can focus. If we hope to achieve physical relaxation, we need to address the methods of promoting mental and spiritual relaxation since they are so closely connected.

Relaxation has many benefits in terms of both performance and soundness. Communication is more straightforward when we are relaxed. Both observer and horse feel the rider is lighter and more graceful. Our body will move in harmony with the horse’s movements. Our legs will breathe with the horse’s sides. Our hands will be quiet receivers and directors of the forward energy we are sharing. Our body as a whole will be prepared to respond to the horse quickly, quietly, and effectively. This harmony will enable both horse and rider to move forward with power and elasticity, creating a picture of total unity and majesty.  A  relaxed horse is an amazingly elastic creature, and therefore our goal should be to maintain this elasticity. It involves careful management of his physical body, slowly building up muscle tone.  Most horses have an advantage over man, in that they begin with a calm mind. If communications are clear and demands are realistic, they should remain mentally calm. This mental calmness, combined with the proper training of horse and rider, should maintain the horse’s elasticity, thus minimizing the wear and tear that cause unsoundness in our equine partners.

No doubt it is easier for a rider to relax on a horse who is relaxed, but the rider must learn to become supple and relaxed himself so that the horse can stay elastic and relaxed. It is the rider’s responsibility to maintain the relaxation of the horse.

It is more difficult for the rider to maintain a relaxed state, because the rider continues to have situations develop that make it difficult to maintain a relaxed, supple body. It is up to the rider to find an effective method to maintain a well functioning body.

Emotional turmoil produces disequilibrium in our bodies, leading to physical stiffness. Returning the body to equilibrium is a matter of relaxation. When we feel upset, or experience an uneasy feeling, an upset stomach, a headache, a backache, or another physical symptom, it may be our mental or spiritual self crying out. Physical exercises are designed to relax and supple the muscles, while meditative therapies provide methods to relax and free the body, mind and spirit.

“Mediation is any activity that keeps attention pleasantly anchored in the present moment” -Joan Borysenko

The more of our self we can access consciously, the more control we have over our lives and our goals. The more unresolved experiences we have, the more we will need to create freedom that brings about the useful inner self.  By having control over our thoughts and experience we come more relaxed in who we are, our goals and our dreams. This is key in our relationships, even our relationship with our horse.  Relaxation is necessary for the rider to attain inner harmony and for the horse to display his natural beauty.

Joe2022-03-16T23:14:49+00:00

Kitty Hawk and I were top of our game when I was slapped in the face with reality.  She was diagnosed with navicular and was restricted to flat work.  The news was devastating.  After a lot of tears and mourning the loss,  I learned my first lesson of acceptance and realized that our relationship did not end, it just changed.  She remained in my life for many years after I stopped showing her and we continued to go on trail rides and enjoyed playing on the flat.

Enter Joe, a beautiful 16 hand, dappled gray thoroughbred with a heart of gold. He was willing to do anything that I asked of him and had a huge smile on his face while doing it. He was one of those horses that comes into our  life for a very short time but changes it forever. Joe was my equine teacher in the lessons of  acceptance and humility.

I remember the day I brought Joe home like it was yesterday. This was my first horse that I could actually call my own. I wasn’t leasing him, I owned him. At 13 years old, I was the luckiest girl in the world to have my own horse. To say that I was ecstatic is an understatement.  My confidence was high and knew that we would be successful as a team.

The first month of our relationship together was perfect. We were in perfect sync while getting to know each other. We were having incredible lessons and advancing in ways that I could not have imaged.  I felt like we were made for each another and I was given yet another incredible equine partner. Things couldn’t have been better. The show season was starting soon and I was riding everyday in preparation.  For one of my lessons we decided to trailer Joe to a local equestrian center that had a show jumping and dressage ring as well as a cross-country course. I showed there many times with Kitty Hawk and was very comfortable with the area.

Joe, trailered beautifully to the facility and our warm up was going well.  My instructor, Sue Cassell, set up a jumping course for us and off we went. We have been jumping since the first day I got him so this was no big deal. Jumping the  3.5 foot fences felt like we were cantering over ground polls. Joe jumped with ease and loved every minute of it.  Our first couple fences went well and we continued on with the entire course. The last line was a triple combination with an oxer to complete the course. As we were rounding the turn for the final line I remember thinking, ” This is easy, we got this”.

The first fence was perfect and the second was even better. As were taking off for the oxer, the last fence in the line and of the course, something felt different, but I had no time to react. While in mid-air, Joe bucked and I went flying head first into the ground.  I was unconscious for a moment and had no idea what happened. I remember my mom, my instructor and Joe came over to me in a frenzy. As I was opening my eyes with my mom in a panic, there was this moment when Joe and I locked eyes and knew that he was confused on what had just happened.  He came up to me, nuzzled his nose on my face as if to say, ” I’m sorry”  and I started to cry. I felt a connection between us that I had never felt before. I knew that he did not buck me off intentionally, however I was not exactly sure the reason at the time. This was the beginning of my lesson in humility.

After a couple of days of recovering for the soreness I was back out at the stables ready to ride. I was determined not to let a little fall create fear in me.  As we were warning up, my self-confidence started to improved and my fear began fading away.  Our flat work was evolving nicely and I started to feel synchronicity between us.  After about 40 minutes my confidence was back and I was ready to take on some fences. We did a couple single verticals that went very well, my nerves started to settle and I started to relax.

I set up a double combination,  Joe jumped the first vertical with ease and we were approaching the second at a nice canter. As we took off for the second fence I could tell Joe was uncomfortable and the next thing I knew I was on the ground with a very bruised tail bone and ego.  As I sat there in confusion and pain, Joe walked over to me, nuzzled his nose in my neck and gave me a look of, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it”.  Once again, he bucked me off in mid-air over the fence and I went flying.

Obviously, I was unable to ride for the next couple of weeks due to my bruised tail bone. I spent the next couple of weeks trying to figure out what was going on with him. I worked with him everyday lounging and  free jumping.  After several consults  with our vet we discovered that Joe had arthritis in his back and jumping larger fences was causing him pain. The lessons of acceptance and humility where everywhere I turned, and I quickly realized that I needed to accept the things I can not change and I needed to make decisions that were unselfish. After much contemplation,  Joe, was given to a wonderful little girl and her family, where he was loved, went on trail rides and most likely ate too many carrots. He was a wonderful horse that taught me much more than I could have taught him. I will forever be grateful for my equine teacher in acceptance and humility.
Kitty Hawk-My First Love2022-03-16T23:15:01+00:00

They say you never get over your first love. This is definitely a true statement when speaking about my first equine love, Kitty Hawk. Half quarter horse half hackney pony, chestnut mare with 4 white socks and a white blaze running down her face, Kitty Hawk was perfect in my eyes. She even had a heart-shaped spot on her muzzle that I was convinced was there just for me. In the 5 years that Kitty Hawk was in my life I learn far more than my diagonals, leads, and how to spot a jump. Kitty Hawk, was and still is my greatest teacher of life.

I was 9 years old when my mom decided to lease, Kitty Hawk. The joy and excitement that I felt during that time is indescribable. I still remember sitting in middle school writing all over my notebooks, “I love Kitty Hawk”. I was so obsessed I even brought her into school for show and tell one year. To say that I was horse crazy is an understatement. This was the start of my horse obsession and the beginning of my quest for spiritual and physical balance in my personal life as well as my life with my equine partners.

At a very early age I realized the healing power of horses. At three years old I was watching people in wheel chairs experience a moment of freedom while they rode their horse, through the therapeutic riding program at the stable were my mom boarded her horse. I knew back then that there was a connection far beyond what the eye can see and when Kitty Hawk came into my life I was able to experience this connection and healing power first hand.

Kitty Hawk and I trained and showed on the hunter circuit and rode on the state and national level through 4-H. We traveled all over the east coast, showing every weekend that we could. Over those 5 years, my relationship with Kitty Hawk developed into a soulful, spiritual one. A relationship that I can only describe as true love, one of the spirit.

Of course, my relationship with Kitty Hawk taught me responsibility, discipline, and a level of dedication that is needed when caring for a horse. More importantly it also taught me things far beyond the care of an animal. Kitty Hawk, became my counselor, my best friend, during a time in my life that was very difficult and painful. She helped me to trust and to be confident in who I was and follow my truth. As we both grew together, both physically and spiritually, I learned about compassion, calmness, acceptance and inner peace through her nature. I believe horses naturally exhibit theses qualities and I believe this is seen in their strength, power, simplicity, and purity.

Kitty Hawk, was the first of many horses that came into my life and was a great teacher. I am thankful to have had the success we shared together and the accepting, trusting and awe-inspiring relationship that can only be described as my first love.

Humility-the essential ingredient2022-03-16T23:15:18+00:00

Humility is an essential ingredient to be in proper balance with our horse and the world. We can recognize humility by its unselfishness, thoughtfulness, gentleness, unpretentious spirit, and desire to help others. A horse outshines humans in unselfishness, has an unpretentious spirit and desire to please. A horse also possesses strength, power, agility, and presence. We can learn the lessons of humility by recognizing the attributes of humility in our horse and strive to be humble everyday.

Humility can affect the way we learn, select professionals, and relate to others. Humility can make the difference between mediocre and a superior performance. We can ride, perform, and even win without humility. However, humility changes the focus of our ride toward the horse’s energy, by allowing us to surrender ourselves to the horse. When we are able to let go we become a partner in the performance with our horse. We share the in the horse’s brilliance, we do not produce his brilliance through control.

By controlling our horse’s energy mentally through quiet humility we can out-think him and direct his power and majesty. We can allow him to perform at his best. I believe really love our horse we need to put his betterment ahead of our needs and be humble to our own.

By understanding our horse, his strengthens and weaknesses, we will be able to create and develop a humble relationship with him. We need to be realistic about our goals and our role in performing with our horse. We assume the role of a leader, guiding the performance or ride of the day to maximize your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses. Focus on what you what to accomplish and produce, and be responsible for the harmonic wholeness of the ride.

The best horse people are those who can remain humble by remembering it is the horse that wins and performs. We need to enjoy our role in the relationship and take pride in directing the majesty of our horse. I have learned that if I understand my horse and encourage him, maintain a positive attitude while defining our roles in the relationship I can stay humble. As long as we can think of our horse first and his needs we will have humility in our relationship. The horses in my life teach me about humility on a daily basis and help me develop and maintain humility in other areas of my life.

Remember, whatever your goal, approaching it with humility will enhance its value and magnify the joy it attaining it. You will have a better appreciation for your horse’s role in the accomplishment, but you will also attain a more honest perception of your own contribution.

Lessons in Love2022-03-16T23:15:33+00:00

Love is a feeling that motivates us to appreciate life with joy, enchantment, awe and wonder. It is an emotion that allows us to be aware, appreciative, open-minded and accepting unconditionally what is less than perfect, and willing to change what can be changed.

Each one of us is born with the capacity to love ourselves, others and life and it is inherent to our being. I believe that learning to love ourselves, others and life is a function of our soul. Often times we think we love but, most importantly, we need to be able to feel love and act in a loving way. Understanding what love is will help us understand our self, others, our horse and our life.

Simple delight in life’s experiences is a characteristic of love that is shared in both horses and humans. Horses express this daily and show their love through gratitude and appreciation. One example is the food and care that we give them. Almost all horses enthusiastically accept their food. They hear the feed door open, perk up their ears, whinny and sometimes bang on their stall door. Once a horse is fed, his eagerness is replaced by the joyful sound of munching on his grain or hay. The horse’s ears are relaxed, eyes soften, and he is solely focused on the joy of eating.

How often do we appreciate our food? The provider of the food? Or even the purchaser of the food? Even if you pay all those roles, do you take the time to appreciate yourself? How often do we take the time to really enjoy, be present and thankful for the meal we are eating? Maybe, we should take a tip from our horse by being thankful of each one of our meals and appreciate how and where it came from.

I love when I clean my horse’s stall and put new bedding down only to have him lie down and roll, oblivious to my presence, completely absorbed in the scratching of his body in the fresh, clean bedding. He is immersed in the absolute enjoyment of scratching his back. I can hear him saying to himself, “Ahhh, right there. That’s the spot”. It always makes me laugh to myself and at that moment I know that he is taking full advantage and is thankful for his clean, fresh stall. It is his way of thanking me for taking care of him. How often do we show thankfulness to the people who take care of us?

These are the little ways that a horse reminds us to be aware, thankful and present in each moment, no matter how little or insignificant they might seem. Now, every time I clean my bed sheets and climb into bed I enjoy the smell of the fresh dried sheets and take a moment to feel the cleanliness and softness of my bed. I try to really enjoy the sensation of how my body feels and enjoy the slowing down and relaxation I feel as each one of my muscles relaxes into the mattress. I owe all this to the horses in my life.

I believe that taking several minutes a day to enjoy the total sensation of your bedroom, your living room, your yard and yourself could be a great learning tool for appreciating more aspects of your being. I feel this concept directly relates to you, your horse and your riding. Successful riding requires awareness, and awareness is enhanced when we learn to be aware, know and love ourselves and our surroundings. Love of life experienced through all of our senses adds to the fullness of life.

Unconditional acceptance of yourself and others is another manifestation of love. Our horse accepts us as we are. He tries his best to do what we ask. His nature allows him to love and accept himself and you, free of judgment. This is just another way we can learn to love ourselves and others, void of judgment through the way of our horse. By emulating our horses’ ability to accept their conditions with out judgment we can learn how to love unconditionally. How has your horse taught you about love?

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