1. Unlearning what is Untrue: While meeting with Susan Booth a couple weeks ago, her special mother, Linda was also able to join in. Towards the end, she shared a quote that her husband had posted up on their computer desk years ago. It is from 445-365 BC by Antisthenes: “The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue.” It fit perfectly in our conversations of truth. And then it came around again when I got to meet a new friend last week who purchased a saddle from me. We were having an energizing and beautiful conversation about horses, learning, creation and truth. She shared that she hadn’t grown up with horses, so had a lot of work to do to learn the techniques. This reminded me of the quote I shared a couple blogs ago: “If you are just a student of the technique, you will only go so far. It you are a student of the horse, it’s endless.” -Mark Rashid. Paired with the quote from Antisthenes, I shared that actually, she was ahead of the game. This is because before we can build on truth, we have to unlearn lies, and unfortunately, that is what most technique is based on. Riders who have had years and years of technique instruction that is not coherent with the nature and truth of the horse, will need to unlearn each one piece by piece before they can be in a place to start learning what is true. Don’t bother asking me how I know ;). So, Wendy, this quote is for you! And I am still enjoying the sweet blessing of our conversation. Thank you.
2. Mind Change: I have posted quite a bit lately about Mind Change, because it’s been such a large part of my last few weeks. After a free consult call with Kent, I took the leap and scheduled a couple of sessions that are just a short time away. I am excited not only to work through some of my own priorities but to also see if we can use these methods to help Birdie sleep again. If all connects, I know I’ll be able to use this in a much broader way in my life, my animals, families and beyond. This is what I am most excited for. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more in weeks to come.
3. Birdie Knows: Coach Janet is also studying in naturopath school, on the bioenergetics side, etc. She’s truly amazing. A while ago, she scanned Birdie for me on the Qest4 and some tarsus things came up, along with a few other areas. I honestly kind of wrote them off as in my mind there were bigger fish to fry. I’ve been going out in the pasture a lot lately to work on some things within myself, with my horses. Birdie has been showing me time and time again that her outside hocks are sore, along with an area further up in her hind end. I recognized it but was still a little clouded in what it meant. But Birdie was so intent on showing me each time I went out. I went back through my messages yesterday and found Janet’s findings from when she was scanning Birdie. Sure enough, every single spot that Birdie has been emphasizing to me were in the scan. I feel like I’m getting repeat lessons on slowing down and really listening. I’m going to learn them, I know I am (said with an exasperated laugh.) I do really love the multiple confirmations, though. So, maybe this is how I just prefer things. I’m still not sure what exactly to do with Birdie’s areas of concern, but now that I’m fully aware, I’m certain that the lesson on what to do next will come shortly. Yah is good like that.
4. The Secret: Uriah and I watched this video last Friday night. It had me weirded out in the first bit (lol), but we stuck with it and I’m glad we did. While there are some things in there that I would adjust, overall it carries an important truth in Creation that can be incredibly life changing if we decide to humble ourselves to Yah’s creation, who we are, who He is, and work with what He has for us rather than fight it with our own perceptions and beliefs. I suppose I was open to something like this (not typically true of my past) because like in riding, I have also been deconstructing my own “techniques” I’ve learned in faith that I now know to be untrue, one by one. I am finally to the building truth part about who our Creator is. Who we are. What we are here for. On and on I could go. While the tear down has been fairly slow and grueling, He is proving to be a pretty fast builder. And it’s more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.
5. NFR Journey: The countdown is on with my sights on attending my first rodeo in October in Billings, MT. I’m ready. Not in the sense that I can ride in tomorrow and compete, but in the sense that my heart, mind and soul is ready. We have a plan, we have a purpose, a vision and goal. They are all coherent with one another, with my calling in life and my desire to live wholeheartedly and be whole in the fullest sense. Physically, I am sitting in my favorite coffee shop writing this, but my mind is in Billings with my family, my horse, our rig and our dream. My heart is pounding in purpose and excitement just at the thought of it, like I’m there already walking down the alley. I never would have known that when I was praying fervently to truly know Yah, to be truly healed in every sense of the word, to know and hear His voice, that this would be the journey He would put me on to answer those prayers. Our Creator is so much more than I ever knew and I still feel I am only scratching the surface. There’s still a whole life ahead of me to learn of how amazing He is through the truths of His creation. I am overwhelmed with awe and gratitude. I wish the same for each of you reading this. Learn the pattern of truth, and you’ll continue learning it for the rest of your life. It’s worth it. Go for it.
5 Steps Closer, thank you for coming along.
Nicole & The Team,
Uriah, Kadima, Birdie, Blondie, Dean, Grace, Rocki, Salily, Shasta & Shmini
