Ahhh....that is what it feels like! So far this pledge has been an inspiring one for me. Everyday I sit with my horses and be open to any messages they have for me. So far the messages haven't been glaringly obvious but as I navigate through my day the messages become apparent. It is like being showered with little gifts of remembrance all day long. Today was acceptance.
I went to the barn this morning to feed the four legged kids as usual. I was planning on my day going something like this- feed horses, pick up manure, go to bank, come back to the barn, ride one of my beauties, go to a movie, and make a wonderful flank steak for my husband and me. Upon arrival at the barn I discover that the game farm next door was doing a morning hunt. Now my horses are used to the guns, dogs, and orange bodies prowling the prairie but they still flinch when they shoot. I thought "No way am I getting on my horse with them shooting nearby". I wanted a pleasant ride with no gunshots. I have been working hard to make my rides with Jack relaxing and peaceful. Gunshots would not help us relax.
While I was picking up the poop I started to feel sorry for the birds being hunted. I felt they were scared and didn't understand. I took one look at my herd and realized that all was well and as it should be. I was overcome with acceptance- for the birds, the hunters, the dogs, myself, and my herd. I knew we were all where we are supposed to be in life and have different lessons to learn. Who was I to say that there wasn't something to be learned from this hunt? Isn't it just a matter of perspective anyways? My perspective is defined by my and only my experiences and beliefs in life. We are all individually defined by our experiences, beliefs, and environment and we are bound to have different perspectives. No one in this world has had the same life as me; my perspective is unique to me. Being that we all are unique I would have to accept each of our perspectives. What I may not feel to be right may feel right to someone else. Letting go of the attachment that something should be a certain way because that is what I know to me true is liberating. I realized that I no longer had to worry about them. I just needed to worry about me. I can't control them but I can control me. And I am choosing to find acceptance in my heart for something that doesn't seem fair to me. It also shows me something about humility- to not think I am above the hunters because I think hunting on a game farm with planted birds is wrong.
To keep the ball of acceptance rolling- I did end up going for a ride after they finished hunting. Jack and I set out with Shawn and Diva close behind. Jack tends to get amped on rides near the farm. He can get to a point where he just blows up and has to get back to check on the rest of the herd in the pasture. I have tried everything in the past from getting frustrated and disciplining him, to ignoring it, to just avoiding it. Today I was in this place of acceptance for what ever would happen. It was beautiful. He started out excited and did well. About 1/3 of the way through the ride I felt his body tense, his awareness drift away from me and to his herd mates, and he started to fade away in his listening. I got off him. He kinda looked at me like "What are you doing down there?" It was awesome, he just put his head down and walked off with me. I think it brought his mind back to me and questioned what I was doing. He was a rockstar! I walked with him until he came back to me and his awareness was back in his body and listening to my aids and then I got back on. He walked on a loose rein, relaxed for the majority of the rest of the ride. It was brilliant. By being in a place of acceptance for what ever happened with him and not trying to force a ride, we had a lovely ride. He trusted that I would honor his emotional state and felt confident in my actions to guide him. I was completely absorbed in the moment with him and nothing else mattered except for accepting who he was and where he was in this moment. We both communicated with each other so well I would call it a dance.
As today's lessons were about acceptance I would also like to share my experience from last night. It is who I am and is very much a part of me that to not share it would almost feel like I am denying that part of me. I accept this is who I am and am willing to share it. I woke last night parched. It was 3:20am and I went to the kitchen for water. Upon arriving in the kitchen I was greeted by Kato, he is a spirit guide of mine, a black bear. He comes to me when I need him and usually not when I am expecting. We talked of my frustrations at unfairness and death, he told me that it is with humility and kindness he allows each situation it's own experience. I remembered that I was having a hard time in Tai Chi with a warm up practice called The Bear. I asked Kato if he could show me any insights for this practice. It was brilliant. So there in the kitchen I did the The Bear with my bear Kato. It was soo cool! I had a new found sense of how the motion is supposed to flow after working with him. Again, it was so cool! I was so happy and thankful for our visit last night.
It is with acceptance of this part of me that I shared that story. I am trying to hold no expectations for my encounters with spirits or my guides. I welcome their insight in my life. We all have teachers patiently waiting to be heard and ever ready to lend a hand when asked for. Thank you to all my teachers for all the lessons you have shared with me.
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