Missy's Liberty stuff

Say What? Beep. Vibrate.

Communication is key to any relationship, but as I see it, American's (people in general) stink at it!  Sure we've got 1000's of ways to "communicate".  Facebook, cellphones, texts, emailing--those are the more outdated ones I suppose, but no one really can communicate well unless they are fully engaged which takes much effort in today's world as I often will be in the middle of a conversation with someone and their phone starts to vibrate or sound off a new text message or call.  Most of the time, they will answer their phone before finishing up with me--if they even remember what I was saying.....Ever happen to you?  I understand emergencies.  I understand that demanding boss at work!  I understand that your kid just pooped his pants and needs attention.  I understand if it's your out of country/out of state friends who rarely ever calls.  So yes. In some ways, I realize the importance of "disengaging" in your communication.  But really is your patience and time so limited that you can't stop to listen?

I believe that our lack of communication is an element of what is taking down our society.  It's a serious problem!  But there I go, jumping ahead of myself and thinking too deep with not enough time to write it down in words for you.  haha...yes I stink at this communicating thing too!  I would like to say I'm well above average, but then again maybe I'm well below?  Just depends on what I am including/excluding?

Let's take what I understand.  I understand that to be a good horse trainer one has to be a good communicator to the horse and listen to what the horse is telling him.  When you first train a horse, you can't disengage for fear of the horse trampling you, ignoring you, or they'll do just whatever they please which of course wouldn't be good communication at all!  However, if you take time to listen to the horse and engage yourself wholly to that horse for those moments of training--your horse will in turn listen to you and be engaged and communicating in a way that brings about a close relationship.  Why does that work?  Because the trainer has taken time to get to know the horse without being distracted.  The horse knows he can trust the trainer because the horse knows the trainer is completely trustworthy and will take care of his needs.  Basically, they know that they will be there for each other.

Of course, I could give you Biblical examples as well.  If we are poor communicators with God that can draw disbelief, no trust, and a whole bunch of ?????

Doesn't it just do something for your heart, soul, and mind when someone listens?!!!!!!!!!  It makes me feel loved, happy and there's a complete bond happening!!

Yup...Communication is really messed over these days.....I find myself escaping that by horse training.   It's just me and the horse.  No interruptions.  Fully engaged with each other and fast becoming better partners.

Take what you want out of this...This just reminds me to try to be a better listener, less distracted and more focused on what that person is trying to communicate....because it might be the last time they reach out!

Here's a picture of 3 of us doing our part to listen to each other...Love the sunset color!

Re-Encouragement

Why is it that sometimes after a marvelous week do I get a yucky week to follow?  Or find out something really great only to find out something really not great?  I feel so pumped to do something and then whoosh the air comes rushing out so fast I'm blown away into discouragement.  This is when I have to remind myself of "Re-Encouragement."  I have to go back to the reason I was encouraged in the first place.......and if I focus on that I can usually find a bit of Re-Encouragement to keep pressing on.   It's not easy, but I find it necessary if you want to put a real smile on your face.  Yes.  I've needed Re-Encouragement lately...mainly because I do not know what the right thing to do is...or if God really wants that!   

It's funny though how quick we let our encouraging days go by us barely stopping to admire the moment, but when we go through a test or a trial or uncertainty we ponder days and nights until we become just down right miserable!  It can be a pain to accept the encouraging moments because sometimes they are so small and quiet that we can't hear them because of the loud discouragements we encounter.  But they are there.  Tidbits of encouragement in tiny raindrops fall down from someone's kind words or deeds........and this is sometimes where I look to for Re-Encouragement.  Because I love to be JOYFUL!!!  I want to focus on good things and most importantly I want to focus on what God's plan is for me!  Sure I'm a bit "stuck" right now in one particular area, but that shouldn't stop me from doing what I know He wants of me and that alone can sometimes be the best "Re-Encouragement!"  He's not through with me yet!

Kitty's Surprise!

Sometimes in shows you don't always get your horses best---sometimes you don't get anything out of them and occasionally you get the unexpected joy ride of your life!!!  I went to a horse show this past weekend just to get some more reining experience for my horse--this was her 4th time with everything--remember I don't have sand to practice on....I'm sorta in love with a new horse sport--reining: sliding stops, spins, fast and slow circles, rollbacks, long backing!  It's really fun and takes an athletic horse!  Anyway, 2 of the 3 other times I showing Kitty she reared in her class because she was just too confused with what I wanted.

The reining horses were all doing well and putting on a good show for the reining trainer....The cheers were loud for each horse....Then, It was my turn to go.....I was nervous and excited.  I had been working with her, but I didn't know what to expect.....I paused to say a quick prayer before I entered into that lonely arena. Our spins were first--slower than what I wanted, but no rears.....next our circles...a few mistakes, but nothing big......we move on to the rollbacks....boom huge sliding stop!!!  I'm smiling.  I'm not nervous.  I'm having a blast.  There were 3 times for the sliding stops and she did them...HUGE!  We're done...already? Silence.  No whistling cheers for me as I'm not known in the horse show world, but that didn't matter....WE DID IT!!! NO REARS!!  AND.....Kitty was sliding and it felt so cool to ride that!!!!  It was a personal best for us!  My Dad was volunteering at the gate at that time and overheard the trainer tell his group of girls, "Now, that was a good sliding stop!"  and he shows all over with his horses so that was really neat that Dad overheard that!

Very cool experience!  It won't be soon forgotten!  Amazing horse! Amazing ride!  Thanks for the great surprise Kitty!  :) <3

Keep on Smiling/Liberty work

What have I been up to?  It's the time of the year that just gets really busy so that can make it stressful.  Last week I felt like a failure....I just wasn't succeeding at anything!  And maybe in most peoples eyes, I still haven't truly succeeded this week and one of my ongoing goals (that alot of people can do!) seems to be quite unreachable....but I had a different outlook this week and I'm truly smiling inside and out!  It's funny...we go through life with alot of the same problems and one day they don't bother us and the next they really bother us!  Or it's just one problem after another!  I know we are all faced with problems every day we live.....and I just have to keep reminding myself that God still loves me and is in control.

Perhaps one reason for my smiley face, is that my girls worked really well on our liberty work.  So what's this liberty work stuff?  Basically, it's an advanced way of working with your horse so that eventually you don't need much of anything to control your horse.  Liberty horses don't need bits, halters, or lead ropes-the horse is free from all that stuff!  I think they like it that way too!  Most of you know....my horses are NOT perfect and we are in the very early stages, but I feel somewhat advanced too because they are doing so well for how few times I've done this!  It just takes more time and I like to just get out and ride!  But my girls seem to be helping me out!  Below is Missy getting ready to be warmed up!

Kitty is more than ready for her turn! 

I was trying to take a "my view" pic but I barely get anything....

Here we are trotting together side by side...Missy is on a lead rope but very loose--basically if I need to correct her it's there!  These are both mares too!  One has an attitude problem and the other is the herd leader!  So not exactly easy picks for this, but we're coming!  And we're having loads of fun too!

And whatever ya do...keep trying....keep striving.....and keep smiling!!!  :)

Memorably Fun Birthday!

I can't believe I'm 24, but I am!  I had a very enjoyable birthday week as so many fun things happened!!!! Maybe the best present of all was being able to spend a fun evening with a dear friend of mine (Kelsey) who had been out of country for a whole year!  So that was cool!  Kelsey let me perform some of my horse tricks for her and even took some neat pics so of course I have to show them off!!!!

The kneel

 All 4 feet on the pedestal

 Using Kitty as a slide

 The bow in not so usual position......But...whatever!  ;)

Above lounging and below Kitty coming to me

 Kitty smiling on the pedestal

 Riding Bridle-less

 Missy loves the pedestal!

 Below:  This is my favorite picture right here!!!!  Look at how cute these two are--one could NEVER resist them if they happened to run into you and tell you HELLO!  Well...least I can't!!!  :)  I think I could have Kelsey horsin around in no time!!   What ya'll think?

 Kitty getting ready to push me aside because she gets the spotlight--not me!

I hate college!

I was reminded that it is summer break for all of you still in jail-oops...college, and I didn't really post this video anywhere--I thought I posted it here, but I couldn't find it!   So here you go friends!  A heartfelt song about college!