In Franklin D. Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address in 1932, he uttered the oft quoted line: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Truer words could not be said. How often have we conjured up those feelings of dread, the pit of our stomach churning, about something that we envisioned happening -- but never comes to pass. Which leads me to another quote, this one from Mark Twain: “I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
I ponder both of these quotes as River and I are going through a transition. The good news: River is feeling MUCH better. The bad news: She has lost her manners and needs to go back to charm school. Six or months of semi-retirement can do that to you, I suppose.
A few weeks ago, I was riding River when she spooked. She jumped sideways and bucked. I stayed on, but it definitely shook my confidence. And lack of confidence doesn't translate well in being a leader to your horse. So, I am working on getting my confidence back - and those quotes resonate in my mind. The mind is a very powerful tool and can be your worst enemy -- conjuring scenarios in your head. Heck, in your mind you've already fallen off the horse before you've gotten on! Conversely, the mind can also propel you to new breakthroughs -- hence the large role of sports psychology for those that compete.
I have been through this before -- fallen off a horse and it took awhile to get my mojo back. At that time, I didn't think I would ever be brave again -- but I got there. And I will again. The key is to get my head away from what negative might happen to what positive might happen.
This same things applies to any aspect of life in which we feel fear -- fear of failure, fear of public speaking, fear of (fill in the blank). So, I am filling my head with positive thoughts -- and putting my fears behind me.
What fears are you facing that become bigger in your mind than they are in reality? What positive thoughts can help you overcomes those fears and make breakthroughs? Make your mind your friend and ally.
Here's to overcoming our two biggest nemeses!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Monday, December 30, 2013
2014 - What Kind of Year do you Want?
The New Year is almost upon us -- a time for us to pause and reflect on the previous year and make plans for the coming year. A lot of changes have happened in my life since this time last year, both in my personal and professional life. While some events were true hardships and caused me much angst, all worked out in the end and all for the better. The ability to deal with change and the resilience to deal with setbacks in our lives are skills that we are constantly learning and refining. Each change, each setback, better prepares us for what is to come -- for good or for not so good. Working with River and her health issues this year has been a shining example of that.
Out of this year and all that I have experienced, I am taking some lessons learned forward as my resolutions for 2014. I posted similar words on Facebook. By posting them, it holds me accountable to follow through on them. This year, I will:
- Practice more kindness toward others;
- Listen more and talk less;
- Work harder to attain "win-win" solutions;
- Pay it forward every day.
All of these are talents of great leaders. Let's all be leaders and make the world a kinder and more compassionate place in 2014 for each other and for our animal friends.
Maynette and River
Sunday, December 8, 2013
'Tis the Season - Always
This time of year is very special for so many reasons. There is a different feel in the air -- even in Central Florida, where right now it is a balmy 80 degrees! It is a time of preparation and a time of charity. It is a time to take stock of the year coming to a close and starting planning for the next. I often wish that one could bottle this feeling and sprinkle the "goodwill towards men (and animals)" throughout the year.
It takes so little to make a positive difference in another person's life -- or an animal's life -- and often it doesn't take much: a smile, a kind word, a giving gesture.
The best leaders are those that have the gift of empathy and of connectedness -- we want to follow them! A personal challenge to myself is to better exercise those empathy muscles, starting now and into the coming year. We can all make this world a much better place by treating those around us (human and animal) with dignity and respect, with kindness and compassion -- with genuine caring.
Living these traits can ripple and effect great change. Just look at leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., or Nelson Mandela -- what enormous changes they made by embracing forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. Maybe you are not out to change the WHOLE world, but how about working to change YOUR world for the better.
That is my resolution for the coming year.
From River and from me, all the magic and blessings of the Season and wishes for a very kind and compassionate 2014!
It takes so little to make a positive difference in another person's life -- or an animal's life -- and often it doesn't take much: a smile, a kind word, a giving gesture.
The best leaders are those that have the gift of empathy and of connectedness -- we want to follow them! A personal challenge to myself is to better exercise those empathy muscles, starting now and into the coming year. We can all make this world a much better place by treating those around us (human and animal) with dignity and respect, with kindness and compassion -- with genuine caring.
Living these traits can ripple and effect great change. Just look at leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., or Nelson Mandela -- what enormous changes they made by embracing forgiveness, kindness, and compassion. Maybe you are not out to change the WHOLE world, but how about working to change YOUR world for the better.
That is my resolution for the coming year.
From River and from me, all the magic and blessings of the Season and wishes for a very kind and compassionate 2014!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Count Your Blessings -- Every Day
Thanksgiving is a time that calls us to think about all that we are thankful for in our lives. Counting down to Thanksgiving, I have seen a number of friends posting one thing each day for which they are thankful -- which I think is a very cool thing to do.
In this hurry up kind of world we live in these days, it is easy to get caught up in the business of living, bemoan the stress and everything that is wrong in our lives and in the world and forget that we have so much to be thankful for. Counting our blessings is a way for us to put things in perspective -- something that we need to be doing daily and not just once a year. I am guilty of that as well and so I am taking stock of my many blessings today and, on River's behalf, listing hers as well....
River's Gratitude List:
- All the hay I can eat
- Pasture-mates that all get along together and look out for each other
- Love and attention from the humans in my life (and there are lots of them) -- including my horse-loving friends, my farrier, and my vets
- Yummy horsey snacks
- Medicines to make my hooves better and to keep me healthy
-.....and did I mention food?
Maynette's Gratitude List:
- Good health
- Family, friends, and co-workers who I care for deeply and they for me
- Pets, both large and small
- A good job which engages my mind and contributes to a larger cause
- A Free Nation to live in where I can write a blog like this and express my views
Wishing each of you a gratitude filled day, not just today, but every day.
In this hurry up kind of world we live in these days, it is easy to get caught up in the business of living, bemoan the stress and everything that is wrong in our lives and in the world and forget that we have so much to be thankful for. Counting our blessings is a way for us to put things in perspective -- something that we need to be doing daily and not just once a year. I am guilty of that as well and so I am taking stock of my many blessings today and, on River's behalf, listing hers as well....
River's Gratitude List:
- All the hay I can eat
- Pasture-mates that all get along together and look out for each other
- Love and attention from the humans in my life (and there are lots of them) -- including my horse-loving friends, my farrier, and my vets
- Yummy horsey snacks
- Medicines to make my hooves better and to keep me healthy
-.....and did I mention food?
Maynette's Gratitude List:
- Good health
- Family, friends, and co-workers who I care for deeply and they for me
- Pets, both large and small
- A good job which engages my mind and contributes to a larger cause
- A Free Nation to live in where I can write a blog like this and express my views
Wishing each of you a gratitude filled day, not just today, but every day.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Learn As If You Were to Live Forever
The title of my post comes from a larger quote from Gandhi: "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
So often people equate learning with a formal educational setting, but the opportunity to learn, to grasp a new concept or skill, or to become more knowledgeable on a subject is all around us every minute of every day. We just need to be open to the experience.
I have always enjoyed learning new things. I love history, though I am no history major. My favorite historical periods include Ancient History and the Tudor Dynasty, so I started reading books on the subject and found some entertaining free podcasts online to listen to while I was driving.
After rediscovering my love of horseback riding a few years ago, I have been soaking up all things horse-related. I have watched videos and read books. Being at a barn with a group of horse enthusiasts, you can't help but learn new things all the time -- not to mention from your riding instructor, veterinarian, and farrier!
I also have rediscovered my love of doing arts and crafts. I have had an opportunity to work on painting -- horses, of course -- tried some sewing (yes, that costume -- more on that in another post), played with porcelain clay to make jewelry, and have rediscovered my childhood macramé skills. It is a wonderful opportunity to exercise the artistic side of my brain and relieve stress!
And of course, in my work, I continue to take expand my knowledge.
Learning is a holistic experience -- it develops the whole person. It feeds your brain and it feeds your soul. It connects you to others and to those subjects that you are passionate about. A leader, positional or situational, is always learning and always open to learning new things in order to grow and become more effective.
What do you want to learn? What are you passionate about? So many wonderful opportunities to learn out there -- enjoy the process.
So often people equate learning with a formal educational setting, but the opportunity to learn, to grasp a new concept or skill, or to become more knowledgeable on a subject is all around us every minute of every day. We just need to be open to the experience.
I have always enjoyed learning new things. I love history, though I am no history major. My favorite historical periods include Ancient History and the Tudor Dynasty, so I started reading books on the subject and found some entertaining free podcasts online to listen to while I was driving.
After rediscovering my love of horseback riding a few years ago, I have been soaking up all things horse-related. I have watched videos and read books. Being at a barn with a group of horse enthusiasts, you can't help but learn new things all the time -- not to mention from your riding instructor, veterinarian, and farrier!
I also have rediscovered my love of doing arts and crafts. I have had an opportunity to work on painting -- horses, of course -- tried some sewing (yes, that costume -- more on that in another post), played with porcelain clay to make jewelry, and have rediscovered my childhood macramé skills. It is a wonderful opportunity to exercise the artistic side of my brain and relieve stress!
And of course, in my work, I continue to take expand my knowledge.
Learning is a holistic experience -- it develops the whole person. It feeds your brain and it feeds your soul. It connects you to others and to those subjects that you are passionate about. A leader, positional or situational, is always learning and always open to learning new things in order to grow and become more effective.
What do you want to learn? What are you passionate about? So many wonderful opportunities to learn out there -- enjoy the process.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Celebrating Milestones
The vet was out to see River again the other day. River's exercise has been limited during her recovery and so she has lost muscle tone; and keeping weight on her has been a problem as we don't want to up her sugar intake. After evaluating her trot and looking at her feet, the vet gave River and I the green light to start a concerted reconditioning process, starting with alternating 30 seconds of trotting with one minute of walking over a twenty minute period. Over the next weeks, we will slowly increasing the length of the sessions and the trotting time. This is another HUGE milestone in River's recovery; one I thought might not be achievable. Of course, how River responds to the reconditioning process will be critical. If she continues to do well, this will break the chicken or egg cycle that I referred to in a previous post -- exercise will improve her overall physical well-being and also improve blood flow to her hooves. I will continue to have to monitor River closely as she stands a good chance of developing laminitis again, but getting her back into fighting shape will definitely help the situation.
Later in the afternoon after the vet had left, I saddle up River and we went out in the arena. For the requisite twenty minutes, we warmed up and then did walk-trot transitions, alternating with stretches. I was happy to be riding her for more than five minutes at a time, and she was happy too -- as evidenced by her "relaxed" snort she gave periodically.
As River gets back into shape, I am as well. Riding is a primary source of exercise for me, and since my riding has been limited these many months, I have lost a lot of my muscle tone and aerobic conditioning. I just need to remember for the both of us not to overdo it! Neither one of us are spring chickens anymore : )
A lot of my blog posts have been about patience. The milestone that River and I are celebrating shows that patience pays off. And all the milestones along the way -- they are meant to be celebrated! My celebration of this milestone was actually getting to ride River for an extended length of time and River got to celebrate with some extra treats. We all have long term goals we are working toward and we need to celebrate the smaller milestones or victories along the way to our end goal. Think of ways that you can celebrate along the way to your goal. Remember, enjoy the journey along the way to your destination. Cheers!
Later in the afternoon after the vet had left, I saddle up River and we went out in the arena. For the requisite twenty minutes, we warmed up and then did walk-trot transitions, alternating with stretches. I was happy to be riding her for more than five minutes at a time, and she was happy too -- as evidenced by her "relaxed" snort she gave periodically.
As River gets back into shape, I am as well. Riding is a primary source of exercise for me, and since my riding has been limited these many months, I have lost a lot of my muscle tone and aerobic conditioning. I just need to remember for the both of us not to overdo it! Neither one of us are spring chickens anymore : )
A lot of my blog posts have been about patience. The milestone that River and I are celebrating shows that patience pays off. And all the milestones along the way -- they are meant to be celebrated! My celebration of this milestone was actually getting to ride River for an extended length of time and River got to celebrate with some extra treats. We all have long term goals we are working toward and we need to celebrate the smaller milestones or victories along the way to our end goal. Think of ways that you can celebrate along the way to your goal. Remember, enjoy the journey along the way to your destination. Cheers!
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Nature is the Best Medicine
The hot, humid days of Florida Summer are giving way to the warm days and cool-ish evenings and mornings that I love. As a Florida transplant, I have never been one for the heat and have always preferred Florida's Fall, Winter, and Spring Seasons. I think River can say the same as well.
I have done some limited riding on River and continue to groom her and care for her feet. Hoof care remains a priority as that is her Achilles' Heel (no pun intended). Our latest challenge is a crack in her left front hoof, which the farrier has drilled out and I am regularly cleaning to ensure it does not get infected. Once the hoof grows out enough, River will be getting shoes to provide better support for her feet. Hopefully that will give River's feet the stability they need to allow her to get into shape and be able to exercise and get fit again. It's a Catch-22 situation: River can't get into shape until her hooves are sound enough, but exercise helps with the blood flow and overall health of the hoof. Given how long it takes a hoof to grow, we are several months away from shoes -- so we continue our routine of short hand walks or mounted walks and neck stretches until the hooves are more stable. I sometimes despair that River will ever to be able to be ridden again like before; but she has continued to improve even through the setbacks -- though I still worry about her a lot.
With the cooler weather, I spent some time just walking around the barn where I board River. There was a nice breeze, the weather was warm but not oppressive, and all you could hear were the sounds of nature -- horses contentedly chewing hay or grass, the swishing of horse tails to swat an errant fly, the neighing and nickering as the horses to each other, the call of the birds flying over head, and the gentle rustling of the leaves on the trees. As I took in the view and the sounds, I felt a sense of calm come over me that I had not felt in a long time. What a balm to the soul! Being out in nature is truly a healing experience.
After that walk, which included watching River contentedly eating hay with her pasture mates, I had regained perspective. I left feeling relaxed and hopeful about my future and River's.
So, I encourage everyone to take the time to partake of nature. To bask in its wonders puts everything in perspective. And if you can't get out in nature, at least look at some beautiful pictures of it. I have included some pictures of my special time at the barn. Enjoy!
I have done some limited riding on River and continue to groom her and care for her feet. Hoof care remains a priority as that is her Achilles' Heel (no pun intended). Our latest challenge is a crack in her left front hoof, which the farrier has drilled out and I am regularly cleaning to ensure it does not get infected. Once the hoof grows out enough, River will be getting shoes to provide better support for her feet. Hopefully that will give River's feet the stability they need to allow her to get into shape and be able to exercise and get fit again. It's a Catch-22 situation: River can't get into shape until her hooves are sound enough, but exercise helps with the blood flow and overall health of the hoof. Given how long it takes a hoof to grow, we are several months away from shoes -- so we continue our routine of short hand walks or mounted walks and neck stretches until the hooves are more stable. I sometimes despair that River will ever to be able to be ridden again like before; but she has continued to improve even through the setbacks -- though I still worry about her a lot.
With the cooler weather, I spent some time just walking around the barn where I board River. There was a nice breeze, the weather was warm but not oppressive, and all you could hear were the sounds of nature -- horses contentedly chewing hay or grass, the swishing of horse tails to swat an errant fly, the neighing and nickering as the horses to each other, the call of the birds flying over head, and the gentle rustling of the leaves on the trees. As I took in the view and the sounds, I felt a sense of calm come over me that I had not felt in a long time. What a balm to the soul! Being out in nature is truly a healing experience.
After that walk, which included watching River contentedly eating hay with her pasture mates, I had regained perspective. I left feeling relaxed and hopeful about my future and River's.
So, I encourage everyone to take the time to partake of nature. To bask in its wonders puts everything in perspective. And if you can't get out in nature, at least look at some beautiful pictures of it. I have included some pictures of my special time at the barn. Enjoy!
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