Ever have one of those days where you feel that you're being pulled in fifty different directions? Maybe for you, that's every day. It's no secret that we live in a "hurry up" culture. How many times have you asked someone, "How are you doing?" and they reply, "Good, just busy." When was the last time someone said, "I'm relaxed and centered"? Anyone?
Busy seems to be the go-to answer. We're busy with our jobs, our kids, social media, family commitments, upcoming holidays and meetings. And for some of you, that's just a partial list. Even with all of our "time saving" gadgets, we seem to still be short on time. Instead of enjoying the time saved, we double down and try to do more. It's a cycle that is both exhausting and frustrating.
And then there is the internal chatter. Even when you do get a quiet moment, you brain is still going a million miles a minute. What still needs to be done? What should I be doing? What did I fail at? How can I get what I want? How can I make what I have work? It goes on and on, leaving your quiet moment full of anxious internal dialog.
When was the last time your head, heart, and body were all present together in the moment? When was the last time you were 100% focused on what was happening right in front of you? As humans, we have the ability to ponder the past and speculate on the future. This is a huge advantage and it has served us well. But, when did we get to this place of always busy?
Here is where horses step in and offer us some powerful insight. These creatures only live in the present. They cannot think about the past or worry about the future. Horses are forever in the moment and they ask us to be there with them if we want to be apart of the harmony of the herd. When you step into the present, you must bring all of you into it. This is the world the horses live in. They are not divided in mind, heart or body.
What does it feel like to connect with a horse this way? It feels like time has slowed down and sped up at the same time. Slow, because horses do not live to the tick-tock of a clock, but time seems to pass quickly when we are completely engaged. It's a different rhythm where you bring your whole self into the task, activity or rest at hand.
A strange thing happens in full moments like this. We begin to see things with more clarity. We have space to look at where we're out of alignment in our lives. Our mind can reflect on what's working and what's not. Our body will tell us if we are carrying too much, both mentally and physically. Our hearts tell us how we really feel about things.
This mind, body and heart alignment is not only powerful, but it's empowering. In these moments, we can recognize where we need help, where we could help ourselves, and maybe even where we could help others. And, it's different for each person. We are each on our own life journey.
Imagine what you would feel like and your frame of mind if you were in alignment? Or, to say it in a different way, if your head, heart and body were all in agreement? What would it be like to live you day as your whole self?
This is where the horse lives. Will it resolve all conflicts? No. Each horse has a unique personality, just like humans. Some get along and some don't, but each is still wholly themselves. They do not live divided internally and are honest with each other. There's a certain freedom in that.
So the next time you see a horse, take a moment and find your alignment, take a breath, and move forward.