I don't use this blog to discuss politics, but have to at least touch on it to address how River and her horse compatriots are teaching me how to cope after this very tumultuous election season here in the United States. It is Day 2 after Election Day. Emotions continue to run high on both sides. Regardless of which side one is on, both sides want what is best for the Country -- just differing in what that actually entails. And there is a lot of healing that needs to be done in order for both sides to start moving in a direction of actually having civil discourse and working together. It won't happen overnight, but it needs to happen.
Of course, River is blissfully unaware of all this folderol, but being the wise old mare that she is, she has some lessons for us humans up her sleeve. And here are the best practices (in no particular order) from the equine community that she shared with me to move past the election season and move forward:
1. Acknowledge Your Emotions
River's Advice: Squeal and pin your ears with your pasture mates.
Human Application of River's Advice: Use your support system of friends and family to talk through your feelings. Feelings are valid and they need to be processed.
2. Get Physical
River's Advice: Run and buck and throw your head around.
Human Application of River's Advice: Get out all that pent up emotion and stress released through exercise -- whatever kind of exercise floats your boat.
3. Be Good to Yourself
River's Advice: Roll in the dirt, scratch yourself on the nearest tree, or have that extra bucket of soaked alfalfa cubes.
Human Application of River's Advice: Practice self-care. Soak in the tub, get a massage, meditate, do yoga, eat your favorite ice cream...whatever works for you. (River really extols the virtues of rolling in the dirt though -- it's a massage and pseudo-bath all in one!)
4. Let it Go
River's Advice: I pinned my ears and showed my teeth and and now I'm moving on to that nice patch of grass over there.
Human Application of River's Advice: Decompress, regroup, and move forward.
And who said horses weren't smart? Try these steps and call River in the morning. The Doctor is in.
