"Sluggin Through The Mud"

TODAY, I CAUGHT MYSELF ALMOST GOING DOWN A NEGATIVE ROAD OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR.

Why is it we human's can find something wrong for us in almost every situation?

This morning looking out my window sipping on my favourite brew I remember saying to myself "argh, it's raining again". I then pulled on my rubber boots, put on my "rain hat" then eased in to my banana yellow slicker once again to feed the ponies.

This is where I made the choice to turn Negative into Positive.

As I felt my rubber boot about to slip off my foot as I "slugged through the mud", I caught myself about to say some very negative words, containing some graphic profanities, about my feelings for this very muddy situation. Then, thankfully another thought entered my mind, "Wow what a difference this year is to the last 4. The last 4 years at our place have been scarily dry!!

That one thought changed my whole perspective on this current situation. I was now seeing the exact same situation in a whole new light. All of a sudden I was filled with gratitude for all this moisture. I started thinking about all the grass it will yield for the cattle and horses, all the dust it will wash away, and maybe the possibility of the price of hay coming down.

This got me thinking, "why do we so instinctually see the bad in most situations instead of the good"?

I see this behaviour happen a lot with folks and their horse's as well. Instead of focusing on all the good things that are going on between them and their horse, their attention in most cases tends to only be aware of the negative or unwanted behaviours that may be going on.

Yesterday I had the privilege of participating in the gather for a branding on one of the most beautiful ranches I had ever been on. Although the horse I was on had a few moments where he was unsure and insecure about being this far away from home and his friends, I do know on this day, I chose to see, as Ian Tyson sings "The wonder of it all" and truly enjoyed all the moments when Cisco and I were moving like willing partners.

It's all about perspective

As I rode around the hills gathering the cattle I remember thinking "How did I get so lucky to be on this fine horse, riding in this amazing place, doing what I love to do?". On the drive home I wondered if all the other riders felt the way I did that day. Were they as elated as I was to be able to get some time on their horse on this beautiful day? or,,, were they more focus on what their horse's weren't doing so well, or when the cow's weren't cooperating, or whatever else was not perfect about the day?

I guess it comes down to how we choose to see and participate with the world around us. We can choose to see the mud that affects our day as a major inconvenience, or we can see it as an absolute blessing.

I am in hopes that when you are working with your horse and you start to feel like you are "Slugging through the mud" and those negative thoughts start creeping in, you might remember this article and choose to look for the positives in the situation rather then the negatives.

Carpi Diem,

Yours in horsemanship,

Marty