Horseback Riding Lessons & Intelligent Horsemanship Training
An experienced lesson horse, with a professional instructor, at a quiet
barn in Blair, NE. Specializing in beginners and those with fear issues.
September 13, 2010
Letting go gracefully. How does one do this?
I've been pondering this now for quite some time and feel compelled to write about how I've been going thru the process of "letting go gracefully". I know I've not mastered this, and I think each person goes thru this process differently. There are different levels of letting go, from questioning, to saddness, to anger, back to saddness, questioning and so on. I wonder how many times does a person have to let go, because it takes a lifetime to learn how to let go gracefully.
There are times when I can think about letting go, take my time about making that decision, while other times, it's spontaneous and I have no choice but to let go. Letting go means I no longer control the situation, and need to muster up all the self control I can to get thru the letting go, gracefully.
I've had to let go of family members, beloved animals, friends, emotions, food, and stuff. And with each one came a different kind of "how do I handle this?" There are times when it's very easy, without much thought or emotion, but then there are those times, like right now, that are extremely difficult. Did I make the right decision? Will everything be alright? What will I do now? Then realizing that life will never be the same ever again. Letting go has changed me forever, sometimes for the good, sometimes not. The sometimes not, depends totally on my attitude. I'm the only one that can change that.
Then one day I decided to ask God how to let go, as HE gave the ultimate sacrifice of letting go of HIS Son. While my situation is very real to me, it somehow seems small compared to what God endured for US. I have found a peace about letting go 'this' time. I know that I'll have to do this again, and I'll probably struggle again, but I'm so grateful that I have a God that can help me get through it one more time!
As I say good bye and let go 'gracefully' to my friend, I want to reflect back on the great memories we have shared. I've been so fortunate to not only have had one great horse in my life but two. Morgan and Prince will both have a special place in my heart that noone can take away. I miss them both everyday. Thank you both for making me who I am today!
Every Time, Every Ride
That is the title to an informative, educational video about helmet wearing in the equestrian world. Unfortunately, not enough people know about this video, nor would they consider wearing a helmet when horseback riding. Whatever your reason for not wearing one, it's not good enough. "It's not what real cowboys/cowgirls do", really?, you may end up not being either without a helmet, "I'll get hat hair", it's better to have hat hair than no hair from brain surgery, "it's uncomfortable", it's better to be a little uncomfortable for an hr. or 2, than being paralyzed in an uncomfortable wheel chair the rest of your life, " I love the feel of the wind in my hair", " I love the feel of the openness", if you have a head injury you may never feel the openness or wind again, "it doesn't look good", riding is not about fashion...I could go on and on with the reasons/excuses why people decide not to wear a helmet. Oh, I know, " I would NEVER let my kids ride without a helmet", but what about YOU. Aren't YOU worth it? Do you want your kids growing up without you? Do you want to be that kind of example? Oh, and don't think that "just this once" an accident can't happen. Every time you get on any horse you should wear your helmet. "They're too expensive", Hospital bills are too expensive!
No one is exempt from an accident when riding, no matter how well trained your horse is nor how good of a rider you might think you are.
My heart is heavy as I write this. A young man, with a wife and 2 small children, chose to ride a horse without a helmet. He is now fighting for his life with a massive brain injury. He may never recover, and if he does, he will NEVER be the same. The pain and suffering is indescribable and almost unbearable for those who love him.
I'm equally angry. I'm convinced that if he had been wearing a helmet, his injuries would not have been the same, especially his brain injury. Even if God so chooses to heal him, will he think about wearing a helmet the next time he mounts his horse? Will his extended family and friends think about wearing a helmet? Will his place of employment require helmets from now on, for EVERYONE, not just the kids?
I will continue to pray for this young family daily, hourly, and by the minute. I also hope that some how, safety while riding horses, especially wearing helmets, will become their ministry.
I also pray that if one person is changed by all of this, it was worth the pain and suffering they've endured. OR, was it?