Riding in the Black Elk Forest Summer 2010
I just finished reading a book by Nora Roberts, “Finding the Dream”. The previous blog post has the prologue about the story, and that’s all I’m going to say about it. I like romantic novels, what can I say? I especially like them if they are centered around horse farms. They are easy readers and my mind can drift… and dream….
Towards the end of the story, as things weren’t quite coming together for Laura, the main character, she stood on a cliff, overlooking the sea. She pondered about love and loving again. She wondered how to go on, alone, when all she wants is someone to love her?
She wondered why she was given a glimpse into a life of deep feelings and wanting a real love, for it to be taken away? She wondered why that one thing that she always wanted out of life if always just out of reach?
Can’t we all think this same thing? Through life, we all have wants and wishes. We all have something we are trying to work towards, or desire, and it’s always just out of reach. Why is that so? Why, when it’s so close, can’t we just reach out and grab it? Why does it stay unattainable? Are we not trying hard enough? Is it something we don’t really need? Are we selfish and wanting too much? Maybe yes, maybe no.
I always think, that in time, what we need is right in front of us. We just have to figure out what it is when it’s there for us. That’s the hard thing, the knowing what it is and when and how and on and on. When is the time right? How will I know what to do and when to do it? Why do we give ourselves all of these self doubts?
Laura, the main character, had changed over the last 2 years in the story plot, but inside her, deep inside her, she was always the same. And she had a depth to the amount of love she had, and was willing to give, if only she had someone love her as much as she wanted someone to love her.
We can want things, but does it always happen? Does what we want always what we should have, or is there something, right in front of us, that is different, maybe better for us, if we just can see it?
We all change, and grow, and adapt. We all want something. We all love deeply, especially our horses. How do we know when it’s time to move on and do something different? How do we know when it’s time to gulp and take the plunge into our dream?
I think for me, when I start thinking it’s time to try this, whatever it is, a CTR, an endurance ride, find a new horse, ride the horse I have, get the young horse going better, then the thought is there for a reason. Do these thoughts go hand in hand in feeding my dreams? I don’t know. Sometimes, and some days, I don’t even know what my dream is, or even if I should dream? Life is life, and you have what you have, so why should you dream?
But I’m not dreaming about wanting more. I just dream about doing something different with my horses? And this is the reason for today’s blog…finding the dream with your own horse.
I think anything we want to dream about and wanting to do with our horse is within our reach. Then why not dream? Dream about a new trail ride. Dream about an endurance ride. Dream about doing more and more trail obstacles and having a fun relationship with your horse. Dream about horsemanship camps where riders will come.
Dreaming is one thing, taking action is another. Go ahead and find that dream and then live that dream. Put your dreams into action. Start doing with your horse what you are dreaming and wishing you could. Start little and grow. Start one step at a time. Start one day at a time. Don’t change overnight, but grow with your dream.
Maybe go on that first overnight trail ride, and I will say it’s easier to do than you think it would be. The horses really do stand tied well and do fine overnight.
Maybe for me, I should go on that first endurance ride and ride for fun. See what it’s all about. Know what to work towards for next year.
I’ll start doing more obstacles at home to develop that quiet trail horse. This will make a better CTR horse, but it will bring the fun back to my riding. Dream of Trail Challenges and go try one.
The point is, if you are going to dream, then start acting on those dreams. For me, I really want to do an endurance ride, even if I never get to Tevis. I have a few horses I need to look at. I have an opportunity to work with an older rescue Arab mare, who may not be ready to ride this year but maybe she is a horse that I need to work with. Maybe…
I know now I should just start building more fun trail obstacles. I’ve been wanting to for a few years, so now is the time to start. I want all my horses to be good trail horses.
What is your dream, if you dare to dream of doing something different? If it’s too big a dream, break it down into smaller steps so you can reach your dreams.
I think we all need something to dream about. I think we all need to work on our dreams.
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