WHY I RIDE
I BELIEVE THAT THE WORST ASPECT IN FACING ADVERSITY IS SURRENDERING CONTROL.. I'M UNSTABLE TO CONTROL THE HAVOC THAT INJURY, ILLNESS OR FATE HAS CAUSED IN MY LIFE BUT I CAN CONTROL MY EQUINE PARTNERS. IT'S A MAGICAL SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT. A MERE FLICK OF A REIGN OR TAP OF MY HEEL AND I CAN COMMAND A 1,000 POUND ANIMAL. RIDING REQUIRES AN ALMOST ZEN LIKE LEVEL OF FOCUS. INSTINCTIVELY, I THINK HEELS DOWN, EYES UP, FEEL THE HORSES MOUTH, AND KEEP MY BACK STRAIGHT BUT SUPPLE. THESE ARE THE THOUGHTS THAT OCCUPY MY MIND AND PUSH ASIDE THE CONCERNS SUCH AS DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS, PRESCRIPTION REFILLS AND TORTUOUS DECISIONS. THE CADENCE OF MY HORSE'S GAIT BECOMES A SOOTHING LULLABY. MY HORSE TROTS AND I FIND BALANCE. MY HORSE CANTERS AND I REDISCOVER PURPOSE. MY HORSE GALLOPS AND MY HEART SOARS. I AM UNBOUND BY THE PAIN AND UNBRIDLED BY REGRET. WITH EACH STRIDE, MY HORSE LIFTS ME SKYWARD AND I AM MOMENTARILY NOT A PART OF THIS EARTH.
AND THAT, TO THE END, IS WHY I WILL RIDE.
Written by Darlene Larson
Who is fighting stage 4 breast cancer.
Blessings to her and to you.
Lea this is really beautiful. And it reminds me of why I stitch. So many parallels! blessings, marlene
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