Sunday, August 17, 2014

Light the Shadows

"Every act of evil unleashes a million acts of kindness. That is why shadows will never win while there is still light to shine." ~ Aaron Paquette

Sometimes it feels like the world is against us.  People conspire to take away our self-confidence and self-esteem.  We try to treat others as we would like to be treated only to be rebuffed or trod upon.  At the end of the day, we feel demoralized.  Is it worth the effort to live by the Golden Rule? Should we become one of those same people who have, at the end of the day, sapped our sense of self?

It is at those times when reaching out with an act of kindness fuels us to stay the course.  One small act -- a smile to a stranger -- makes us feel good and has a domino effect all around us.  It is the small acts of kindness that beget even larger acts of kindness -- like the waves spreading  in a pond when a pebble is thrown into the water.

The next time you feel that the world is against you -- practice kindness.  Practices kindness to people and to animals.  Practice kindness to light the shadows.  You will be the better for it, and so will those around you.

River and I wish you kindness and light.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Barn Time

Monday and I hit the ground running.  So much to do!  Work, home, family -- did I mention school is starting?!   Physically and mentally, I am pushed and rushed.  After a long day, I hop in the car and make the drive to the barn, making a mental checklist of everything I need to do at the there:  groom River, treat her hooves, exercise her.  I park my car at the barn, ready to sprint to get my "to do" list done. The barn, though, lives to its own schedule and I feel the topsy turvy "gotta do it now" world slipping away.  Time slows down.  My overactive brain slows down.  I can feel the tension in my muscles drain away.  Yes, I still have my "to do" list, but now it doesn't feel so onerous and rushed.

I walk down to River's pasture calling her name.  Her ears prick up and she takes a few steps in my direction.  We walk up the hill to the barn together.  Up in the barn, I groom her.  I talk to her as I brush out her mane.  Each time I come around by her face, I kiss her nose.  I think she would much prefer a treat to my kiss, but she tolerates it.  After her "spa" session, I walk her down the horse trails to give her and me some exercise.  No riding tonight, but a brisk walk through the woods is just what the doctor ordered.  River companionably walks by me, hoping to get a few morsels of prime grass as we walk. We come out from the trail near her pasture, where I put her back in to the happy calls of her fellow equine pasture-mate.  River ambles off to take a drink and I walk up the hill, feeling relaxed and happy.  My "to do" list at the barn was complete, but it never felt like work at all. 

As I start my Tuesday, I will try to remain in the bliss that ended my Monday and live in "barn time".

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Integrity

Have the courage to say no.  Have the courage to face the truth.  Do the right thing because it is right.  These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.  ~ W. Clement Stone
 
 
It seems like everywhere around us, we are seeing evidence of people living contrary to W. Clement Stone's quote: on the news, in the newspaper, via word of mouth, through personal experience  -- but then comes that one story of someone that defines the word "integrity" -- and we feel that maybe the world isn't such a bad place after all.
 
Living with integrity is an inherently human trait.  Integrity is not a characteristic that you can apply to another other species. Living with integrity can be hard to do.  It is hard to say no.  It is difficult to face the truth.  And doing the right thing is not always easy.  We are programmed to take the path of least resistance and that is what makes living with integrity hard, as it often takes us through more onerous paths.  Living with integrity may not make you popular, but at the end of the day it is its own reward knowing that you did the right thing.  And sometimes, -- just sometimes --you may just find out years later what an impact you made by living with integrity. That is a  moment when you realize that, though difficult, living with integrity changes lives beyond your own for the better.
 
May you take the more onerous path and live your life with integrity...