- It’s been a while! It’s been over a month since I’ve updated my 5 Steps blog, which I never intended. What started out as a busy season led into a few challenges and things to work through, which led to little inspiration to write. I’m thankful to be gaining traction on these challenges and coming back to my writing shoes again. There’s a song I came across recently called “Chasing Dreams” by Dave Barnes. While part of me was totally feeling it with the season I have been in, the other part of me had to chuckle at the drama and realize “I can’t allow myself to be stuck here” because this really isn’t all what chasing dreams is about. That said, there are some short seasons and short times when I figure I can allow myself to dwell in the “tough” parts of it for a short bit before lifting myself out and moving forward. I know it’s okay to dip into those seasons and feelings but not okay to stay there. So, so long to the short woe is me season, I’m moving on!
- I had set goals to be able to race in the November local races but unfortunately wasn’t able to meet them. Rocki had some bodywork issues show up and then the second race got cancelled. This was part of the contributor to my “short season of doom,” because I really don’t like missing goals. But I realized a pretty vital lesson in the process.
- Catan and Barrel Racing: Do you know the game Catan? It’s our favorite winter family game. I have proudly been undefeated for the last 8 or so games. I started to wonder why my skill had shifted so much in my favor and chalked it up to a few things: 1) I let go of the selfish competitiveness and started relaxing into the game. I was still out to win, of course, but not in spite of everyone else. 2) I have a great starting strategy (which I’m open to sharing to whomever wants to hear), and 3) I stopped planning my route to victory and instead played the hand that I had, to the best of my abilities, and remained aware and open to all of the different possibilities of victories before me and then took the best one as it was dealt to me. That’s when I began my winning streak and it has yet to end. How does this apply to barrel racing? I’m glad you asked…
- Barrel Racing and Catan: I realized (while wanting to throw my sucker in the dirt), that I was so caught up in my planned path of victory in riding that when it didn’t work out that way, I was stuck, frozen, defeated. Which is silly, because there are so many more opportunities and ways to still continue to reach my goals even without the checkpoints I had laid out. I realized I needed to start playing the hand I had, like in Catan, and start to be open to the multiple paths available to reach the ultimate goal. This realization gave me much encouragement, refreshment and a hope for what is ahead. I had a new strategy for helping Rocki and even my other horses and I am sensing that we will be stronger this was than if we had traveled the path I had planned out. Funny how that works, eh?
- First Barrel Race: While I didn’t make my goal of going to the barrel race, I was delighted that Kadima did. We decided to haul her out for the “pee-wee” race where we led her through. She had a blast, but still doesn’t quite understand why she couldn’t do it over and over again. I am so grateful for my mom’s trusty gelding, Brinkley who was a complete gentleman and put this mama heart at ease and made a little girl’s day brighter.
5 Steps Closer, thank you for coming along.
Nicole & The Team,
Uriah, Kadima, Birdie, Blondie, Dean, Grace, Rocki, Salily, Shasta & Shmini
