Already being blessed with a dear, dear friend whose life was changed via her love and communications with horses — I have come to feel even closer to her this week. As if in confirmation, soon after this realization, I received a link to her latest photos of her beloved animal friends.

The subject of Ruella's e-mail was "Good horse morning" and her photos allow the viewer to see the mutual love, attraction and deep connection between Ruella and her animals.

A unique and vibrant connection as only can be shared with a being so strong and free. Such a connection cannot be controlled — only nurtured and disciplined. Perhaps that is the key to my ability to see — as well as utilize — the proverbial reins to the wild, and recently liberated, horses of my dreams.

This week — as a result of the delightful fruit* to my new thinking and belief system — I rest in the nurtured discipline of the "loose-corralling" of these horses in my mind. Although I do have limited "control" it does not break the spirit of the magnificent and inspirational beasts who lead (and sometimes carry) me to my dreams.

And this is a night-and-day difference from feeling as though I was being dragged behind a race horse!

*My cornucopia is full of fruit born via seeds sown, oh, so many years ago. I liken this bounty to pecan harvesting. These tasty and nutritious treasures are a perfect example of “good things come to those who wait” … It takes years before pecan trees begin to produce a harvest. Learn more.

Upon visiting Ruella's photos, I requested her permission to post a photograph ... She consented; and I selected the photo above. I then visited her Spirit Horses blog.  What a genuine delight to discover this quote at her blog:

A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence. —Pam Brown

Blessings to you, Ruella, for introducing me to Horse Inspirations.

What does this mean? For me, it is a new adventure as well as a new habit. It means that it is a time to celebrate a life I have been "getting my head around" for one year. And as I celebrate this anniversary of consistency and a heart full of tenacity and hope (despite what was seen, felt or experienced) I am filled with great joy!

My friend (who introduced me to Spirit Horses) explained to me that these horses "represent the warrior spirit. Spirit Horses visit those who are "one with the horse" in their dreams, if they are among the very fortunate." I am very fortunate.

Last week, I rode the wind with my "Spirit Horses" as I focused on my goals (instead of the immediate busyness nagging my hours). And I did so without fully realizing it until yesterday while I was visiting with a friend.

As we drove home, the sun was setting in the cloud-dotted sky. It was magnificent! I wasn't driving, thus I didn't have my camera ... However, once I arrived home I grabbed my camera and left to capture some images before nightfall.

This one in particular visually presents my revelation: Clouds moving across an endless sky while "the present" (roadside structures) blurs to keep up. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands (Psalm 19:1) 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

Nothing kills a dream faster than imitation. Nothing buries our authenticity deeper than comparisons. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Reading these two sentences caused me to cease striving in the race to "get-it-all-done" ... These words contained by mere periods speak far more than two sentences for me. And it has not been that long ago that I ceased striving — at least as it was a part of my daily routine. Actually it has been about one year ago that I ceased striving, now that I think about it.

Numerous changes which had been sitting on the porch of my life — packed and ready to go — awaiting my willingness to finish the task of moving on.

Imitation (forsaking what I knew was the desire of my heart in exchange for something not worth mentioning) had killed my dreams. Authenticity was buried: Deep — very deep. The sharp-shooter shovel of Comparisons (in the sense of me being compared as well as me allowing said comparisons) had become mechanical in the constant digging and burying of what was True.

Thus, the initial struggle of this change was likened to making a split-second decision to slam on the brakes and abruptly making a u-turn in the midst of ridiculously heavy traffic!

And yet, very soon afterward I found myself traveling down two-lane country roads of ease and authenticity. Driving toward an inviting destination which literally enabled me to exercise signature strengths on a regular basis — and to do so in an uninhibited manner. Thus, finding my true path, learning via the unforced rhythms of Grace — to just be ...

What I value and embrace about my life, is who I consider myself to be (and not about what I do). And, although my priorities have shifted during my years as matriarch of a blended family (and career changes, ovarian cancer and the countless other adventures of real-life!), specific focal points remain.

And I have realized during the past week that in order for me to remain authentic to my priorities of who I am, there are some tweaks and adjustments to be made concerning my career and graduate school plans.

I am thankful for the energy to persevere — despite the static of the immediate.

I am thankful for rainbows in the clouds ... Delightful surprises ... Leading me onward.

Energy and persistence conquer all things. ~Benjamin Franklin

Well, my horrible Monday has been delightfully altered via Otter's rubber ducky (and Valley girl references ...) It started with remembering Ernie-days gone by with my son and then remembering his reference the other day to "C is for Cookie" as we munched cookies!




Thanks for the memories, Jim Henson !!

I realized I am living my life by choice — instead of autopilot (and in denial). And for me this is huge. No, it is gigantic!

Although I have long proclaimed that life always has something to smile about — regardless how the daily sheets read! I suddenly realized that I am choosing to live in the Now; I am embracing the baby steps, the leaps and bounds, the quiet and inactive moments (and even the crawling and/or holding in the fetal position, when necessary!).

It is about holding on until the next wave of grace and inspiration arrives (even — and especially! — when you cannot remember the last one ...) It is about "Energy, perseverance, and, I would add, tenderness with yourself." (Thank you for these wise words, Otter!)

These elements work as a three cord rein on the chaotic. Independently, they can feel like burning, flesh-ripping whips driving us onward. But together, their synergy sooths, inspires, empowers and enables us to gallop in the direction of our dreams.

I have always enjoyed the view from my camera lens ... And it trains and reminds me to focus on something tangible and inspiring, beautiful and living as I collect images from my days.

Framing moments and recording them via print and disc files nourishes my ability to maintain perspective. It protects me with the power of choice. Because I can choose to focus on the blessing of each day — even in the midst of the snares of the intangible and energy-draining, ugly and lifeless.

This October was especially celebrated for several very specific reasons. But namely, my life has "settled" (Luke 6:37-39); a simple way (and actually somewhat of an inadequate way) of stating that the outrageous turmoil and confusion which once seemed to consume me has burned away the chaff (Matthew 3:8;12) and now fuels a passion I have only dreamed of until this moment. And it is glorious!