Why does it matter?

If you’ve read my previous blog post (My journey from fear to fun), you know that I struggled with fear after an experience where I felt out of control with a horse. Although I was still drawn to horses in my teen years, from about 16 on I decided it wasn’t worth overcoming the fear.

Let’s face it: horses are big and we can get hurt when we work with them. Additionally, horseback riding is expensive and time consuming and has no practical, logical benefit in our modern life. We don’t use horses for agriculture or transportation and most people can go their entire lives without even sitting on a horse. So, what’s the point of overcoming the fear? Why not just keep our bodies (and wallets) safe and steer clear?

I kept away from horses for a while after rehoming my thoroughbred at 16. I would feel the pull and go back for a lesson or two before being confronted by the reality of the cost and the time and my brain would say, “The fear is there to keep you safe. Just leave horses alone.” And I would, throwing myself into other hobbies and past times and trying to capture some of the magic I had experienced around horses. And sometimes, I even succeeded. But horses were always there, and when I would see a video of a really bad ass woman on a beautiful horse, I would find myself crying and thinking, “I wish I could be like her.”

It was when I was 31 and newly arrived in the north east that I told my mom that I was feeling the urge again. Cowboy, our family horse, had been living with a family friend for a few years after my parents sold their ranch. I said, “If he ever needs a new home, I’ll bring him up here.” It wasn’t even two weeks later when I was looking for shipping companies to bring him from Texas to New Jersey.

It turns out this was the push I needed to decide I was going to get over my fear. Not simply the desire, but the fact that I had a financial and emotional responsibility to him. I was paying for his board and his vet bills and his farrier bills whether I rode him or not, so I might as well get the most out of it.

It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and it brings me to the point of this blog.

WHY?

Why fight the logic, the financial motivation, the instincts and the fear?

Here’s everything I’ve gained since embarking on this journey as an adult:

• I have a deep awareness of my body and my energy and how it affects others
• I’ve lost weight and gained muscle
• I’ve gained community
• I’ve regained a sense of identity after childbirth
• I’ve been reminded of my strength of will
• I can walk into any room and know that I can do something no one there can do
• I have confidence in myself and my intuition
• I’ve proven to myself that I can grow
• I have formed a relationship with another creature where we can communicate with our bodies and our intention

Notice anything about that list? I didn’t say, “I can sit a canter” or “I know how to tack my horse.” Although those things are true, those are simply steps in the process. The true value of my experience has been the transformation and growth of my soul.

So, why should you overcome the obstacles in your way and pursue this passion? To become your true, strong, soulful self. These changes are unavoidable as you break through the barriers keeping you from your hearts desire. You and the people in your life will notice your metamorphosis into your highest self. The confidence and peace will bleed out and into every part of your life.

Are you ready?