Sun and Sand

January 22-28, 2012

            I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, but only down time, or time away from the stresses of everyday life, or a vacation replenishes the soul.  We can accomplish this in an hour of doing nothing or something we enjoy.  We can go somewhere for a day or for a couple of days.  We can go on a vacation for a week, with the family, the spouse, or alone.  Do whatever it takes to regain some inner strength or peace or energy.  We all need energy.  We were shown in the Centered Riding Book 1, horses need energy to stay within their bodies for great movement.  We need energy to stay within our bodies, to keep going whatever we want to do as best as we can. We need energy to keep up with the movement of our horses.

Hubby and I went on our vacation this past week.  The sun, sand and beach were calling our names.  The first week of vacation went very fast.  Time goes too fast, as always.  We walked the beach every morning.  We were at the pool every late morning and afternoon.  We tried to exercise as much as we could in the gym.  We met new friends and went out to dinner with them.  It’s amazing who you find that has common interests.  Our new friends were in their early 70’s and had a farming background.  We even enjoyed a sunset sail, where the rum flowed and those who wanted to, could use the rope swing and drop into the still waters below.  Everyone is encouraged to try, even though I didn’t this time.  Many do, because of their “liquid encouragement”.  LOL

This 2^nd week of vacation has been a repeat of the first week, with more relaxation time.  We missed a few walks on the beach and a few times in the gym.  But we are more toned, our legs are in better shape, and we are definitely tanned.  We met new friends, a couple from Wisconsin who were there meeting cousins, and friends of the cousins, from Germany.  People were friendly, you said hi to everyone, and people were ready to kick back and visit.  Saturday came too fast.

Even though I could actually stay longer, who couldn’t when the temps are in the 80’s every day, I am ready for home.  I’m ready to ride, and ride more horses, and at longer distances.  I’m ready to start training, and if there happen to be no training horses, than I have  two 4 year olds that need my attention.  I have 2 yearlings I need to start handling.  I will have my young horses desensitized, lunging and listening better before they are even riding.  I hope to share my experiences with others, and ride more horses for other people, but if that doesn’t happen, then I’ll be on my horses.  I’ll work on my Centered Riding skills.  I will work on being the best horsewoman that I can be.

            I’ve enjoyed my time away, to regroup, to revitalize, to reenergize.  Now is the time to take that energy to the next level.  Just as with horses, keep some of that energy inside you so that what you do, and become better.  Don’t use all your energy, or like a tired horse, you will have no energy left over to perform.  Think about how you can keep some energy in reserve.  Think about how you can take those reserves and perform to the best of your ability.

            Tomorrow starts the first day home (which was today).  I wonder how my energy reserve is?  (I rode for 2 hours and saw the sundset).  I hope I can continue the 2 weeks of exercising and weight machines and walking and continue exercising at home.