Life Lessons from the Barn

In following my blog from yesterday, I figure life is like horse riding. That it can be a great ride if I want it to be.

That sometimes your ride it at a full out gallop, fearless.

And others, it's an enjoyable smooth canter and over way too quickly.

Sometimes it's a choppy trot, but worth the experience.

Others, it's a slow, peaceful walk.

Sometimes you voluntarily dismount.

Others, it bucks and rears and you experience an Involuntary Dismount.

I learned it's not how you get off or on that matters.

I learned it's whether you do or not.

I learned that those Involuntary Dismounts taught me the most.

I learned that it wasn't how I landed, or whether I was injured or if my pride was just hurt or bruised.

I learned it was whether and if, I got up and got on again, and how I acted about it that mattered.

I learned it was how I acted that made a difference in whether the ride was enjoyable and smooth, or whether it was rough.

I learned that it's up to me to change my actions, to change the reaction and/or consequences.

I learned that dirt wasn't one of the four food groups, but that whatever dirt I ate, that sometimes, it was just part of the ride.

I learned that whining about it and blaming my horse didn't win any sympathy, respect, or friends, nor did it change the results of my actions.

I learned that my horse's behavior and personality mirrored my own.

I learned that what goes in, comes out.

I learned that there's always sh*t to shovel, and that whatever you pick up, it's easier to just dump it and focus on something else.

I learned that flinging it only leaves a mess and the likelihood of wearing it.

I learned that just because I carried a whip, didn't mean I had to use it.

I learned that sometimes using a crop was necessary, but brutality never was.

I learned that most times, a crop isn't necessary, but listening to what your horse is trying to tell you, is.

I learned that my horse was always glad to see me as long as I had treats.

I learned to leave any bad mood at the barn door.

I learned that if I could completely control my horse as long as I could control myself.

I learned from watching others, that you can beat a horse into submission, but they'll never respect or trust you and you'll never get their best performance, and that you can never trust them.

I learned that no matter how much I learned, that my horse could teach me more.

I learned that even the worst ride is better than no ride at all.

I've learned that the smell of a sweaty horse after a glorious ride is sweeter than the most expensive perfume in Paris.

I learned that in life, just like in riding, you just have to cowboy up.