2008 Season Ending
Saturday, November 01, 2008
2008 season coming to an end. The camps kept me hopping and I could not have done it without my incredible staff! I started this season off with another personal tragedy, but the high pace kept my mind occupied. My staff taught me much and I am forever grateful. I am personally trying to follow the "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" mantra. Easier said than done, but one must try.
Horses are like children, and I have to remember that patience and consistency is key. I am always being challenged and it is a good thing. I have to take into account the attitude of the horses, staff and participants. It is never dull at the barn and being tested on a regular basis keeps one sharp. I have a staff member that taught me a wonderful strategy to deal with stress - tapping it out. You take your fingertips and start tapping on your forehead and say "I deeply love and respect my self even though....________________________" you fill in the blank. Repeating that phrase while moving down to your cheeks, chin, chest, etc. It really works especially when you start to think of how silly this must look. By the time I am to my chin I have forgotten why I started. Try it - you do forget quickly.
Now onto a non-barn related issue. VOTE! I do not know about the rest of you, but I have become obsessed with this election. I am amazed how politically charged this election is and the raw emotion it has sparked. We truly are on the edge of greatness and I hope that we can come together as a nation after November 4th and mend the wounds that the long cycle has opened. I have already voted and I waited for an hour. The news now reports that in some places people are waiting 8 hours to cast their vote. They are exercising their right as a citizen and good for them. Not voting because of the long lines is not an excuse it is just plain lazy. We cannot afford that kind of thinking. Every vote counts - so do it! I have a parent that has volunteered for a campaign and I have volunteered to drive people on election day. People this is history in the making and we can make a difference. As a woman it is incredible to see that we had a woman running for president and now we have one as a VP nominee. I never would have thought that during my lifetime that I would see a woman let alone a black man running for the highest office in the land. This is the greatest country in the world. Please vote on Tuesday, November 4th. Our country deserves better and we can make a difference.
Thank you for indulging me. I look forward to 2009 and the many lessons that I have yet to learn from everyone that I meet.
Happy trails and a healthy and happy holiday season,
Catherine
Horses are like children, and I have to remember that patience and consistency is key. I am always being challenged and it is a good thing. I have to take into account the attitude of the horses, staff and participants. It is never dull at the barn and being tested on a regular basis keeps one sharp. I have a staff member that taught me a wonderful strategy to deal with stress - tapping it out. You take your fingertips and start tapping on your forehead and say "I deeply love and respect my self even though....________________________" you fill in the blank. Repeating that phrase while moving down to your cheeks, chin, chest, etc. It really works especially when you start to think of how silly this must look. By the time I am to my chin I have forgotten why I started. Try it - you do forget quickly.
Now onto a non-barn related issue. VOTE! I do not know about the rest of you, but I have become obsessed with this election. I am amazed how politically charged this election is and the raw emotion it has sparked. We truly are on the edge of greatness and I hope that we can come together as a nation after November 4th and mend the wounds that the long cycle has opened. I have already voted and I waited for an hour. The news now reports that in some places people are waiting 8 hours to cast their vote. They are exercising their right as a citizen and good for them. Not voting because of the long lines is not an excuse it is just plain lazy. We cannot afford that kind of thinking. Every vote counts - so do it! I have a parent that has volunteered for a campaign and I have volunteered to drive people on election day. People this is history in the making and we can make a difference. As a woman it is incredible to see that we had a woman running for president and now we have one as a VP nominee. I never would have thought that during my lifetime that I would see a woman let alone a black man running for the highest office in the land. This is the greatest country in the world. Please vote on Tuesday, November 4th. Our country deserves better and we can make a difference.
Thank you for indulging me. I look forward to 2009 and the many lessons that I have yet to learn from everyone that I meet.
Happy trails and a healthy and happy holiday season,
Catherine
Posted by Catherine | 
