Barbra Schulte
Change – Challenge and Gift, by Barbra Schulte
Barbra Schulte
In Our Horseback Riding Lives, Change is Always a Challenge And, Change is a Gift
There is always change in our horse lives. This can happen when our horse has to be laid off. Or, we might experience a change in our financial capabilities to follow through on plans. Or, we might get the news that a trainer or a vet is moving. These are just a few examples. You fill in your own blanks. Change is the only thing that is sure in our lives. The following list of values and beliefs is serving as a foundation of thought to move forward. Perhaps these values might serve you some day as a resource of ways you can positively view change in your life:
1. Change always forces us to re-examine what’s important. I started asking myself, “As I make decisions, what do I REALLY want?”
2. Unforeseen situations are huge reminders that change always happens. Somehow, this time I really understand that this is a part of life that will always be.
3. I happily choose to not resist the change. I can see it as something with big gifts in it for me, or as something negative. I choose to find the treasures. That helps me expect super positive things. I wonder, ” What’s around the corner?”
4. This experience has shown me that it’s so easy to get comfortable with what’s routine. Now as we train two new, bright, promising people, I ask … what worked before? … what didn’t work? It’s easier to change systems that don’t work when things begin anew.
5. New people bring fresh ideas. I’m expanding my world.
6. I’ve gotten really clear about MY job during change. My job is to take charge of my response to the change … not try to control the change itself. I have no control over anyone else. That’s each person’s job and really none of my business. (In the barn, when a horse gets injured, I like to think that it’s God’s job to work through the reasons why … my job to nurse. An injury change would be out of my control, unless of course, someone was negligent.) Staying clear on MY job of how I respond during a change keeps me from unproductive, negative thought.
7. And last, but perhaps most importantly, an attitude of gratitude is the ultimate dose of good energy to any challenging situation. Gratitude for the past, present, and future keeps me focused on all the great people and things I have … and not on who or what I don’t have.
About the Author Barbra Schulte is a personal performance coach for all riders, a cutting horse trainer, author, speaker, and clinician. Visit her Blog and signup to receive her FREE monthly email newsletter, “News From Barbra”. You will also receive the high performance secrets of great riders, inspiration, cutting strategies, news, and much more. In addition, you will also receive via email Barbra’s special FREE report: “Five of the Most Important Skills of Riding”. Go now to https://BarbraSchulte.com
[taken from Barbra Schulte’s website, edited to reflect current date]
How has your relationship with horses influenced your response to change?
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