The glass is half full.
Tame Impala said it best, "but I know I’ll be happier.”
Hello! Welcome to the third blog post, focusing on changing our mindset and managing doubt. I went through a period of my life of living in doubt, uncertainty, and defeat, to be honest. I think we've all been there, waiting for change to happen or to be handed to us. But you are the person in charge of making a change in your life. Nothing will be handed to you on a silver platter; you have to work for what you want out of life. Though it can be difficult at times, it will eventually get better. Start to think that the glass is half full, not half empty. People fail to focus on the multitude of positives; we focus more on the negatives. There is nothing wrong with it; we are human. So, I'd like to help you get the motivation to think positively. I am going to share a part of my life and how it has shaped me into the person I am right now, as I type to you, sipping my Diet Coke, listening to Ella Langley.
I have been around horses my entire life. There is something about them that puts me at immediate peace. Their soft eyes, calm demeanor, and insane beauty are just a few of the things that make them perfect. They have brought me a second home, a second family, and a forever obsession. Chester Hill Farm is my home, where I have been introduced to people who have made a lasting impact on my life. I am happy to say that I met some of my favorite people because of this farm. I will always remember getting up early before my lessons to pick out an outfit with my new polo shirts, so I could get there, groom the horses, and meet new people. Yes, the riding ring was always chaotic and busy, but it had people cheering you on as you rode your first two stride or sat your first canter. They are the people who would watch you ride the worst ride of your life and check on you after a nasty fall. Strangers turned into friends. Horseback riding is a sport that can take a toll on you mentally and physically. It tests you on your mental toughness; it is what has made me tough to this day. It tests you on balance, clarity, and optimism. Horses will change their entire demeanor based on your mental state. If you are anxious or worried, the horse will feel the same. They try to match your heartbeat, sensing it when it speeds up. If you were nervous about picking up the canter and jumping the diagonal, there is a higher chance it won't go well. I am very easy to read, so my trainer would notice when I was no longer confident. She would always walk and say to me, “Do not forget to breathe. Max knows that you are nervous.” After each ride, I was always told that my mindset would influence the outcome of my lessons. “You are in control, not the horse,” is what my trainer, Elke, would tell me. This mindset shaped me into the rider/person I am today, though I do not ride as much as I used to. But I will always be an equestrian; it’s something that truly never goes away. Thank you, Chester Hill Farm.
YOU are in control of your life. Madison Beer once said, “I try to remind myself of the same when I'm struggling – that there's a version of me in the future that is waiting for me, grateful for the lessons that I’m being taught presently, even if right now they feel pointless.” You are the author of your own story; make chapters that will make the future you proud to reread.
See you next week.
