Last week I shared the concept of be-ing and its importance to realizing your goals and dreams. Perhaps this story of be-ing will help with the concept.
Many of you know of my love of horseback riding and the training my horse Usache and I do in Dressage. I have lofty goals of one day riding at the Grand Prix level. Yes, these are lofty goals!!
My dressage pursuits began in 2006, almost 6 years ago, and I often refer to my riding status as “Adult Amateur” as that is the status in which I compete. While an accurate descriptor, it does not serve me to “be” an adult amateur when training with my horse. My trainer has repeatedly expressed to me that I must have high expectations of myself and my horse, and that if I am not training every step then I am untraining. The deeper meaning of those words finally hit home.
One fine winter day after warming my horse up on the longe line, I had only 15 minutes to train him under saddle as my professional responsibilities were waiting. As I mounted up, my trainer’s voice echoed in my head, “15 minutes is plenty of time for great work. He is ready to go.” At that moment, I looked down and saw my arms and hands not as my usual arms and hands but the arms and hands of a trainer. I had 15 minutes to work with this horse and then it was on to another ride on another horse.
Pure fantasy! I was on to a ride in my car back home. But that shift, that change in my perspective, from adult amateur to trainer, changed the whole concept of our ride. I was the trainer and capable of showing my horse what he needed to do. I was be-ing the person my horse, and I, needed me to be to reach our goals.
I revisit that mindset at the beginning of each ride. Some days I am much better at maintaining it for longer than 2 minutes! I’m not perfect, but I understand the importance of be-ing!