Today was a lesson with one of our 8 year old girls. She has been coming now, this being her fourth lesson with the Horses. We met at the end of the paddock outside of the gate. One of the first skills any young or older individual must master in entering our space is opening and closing the gate. The chain works a certain way and the rope braid fencing is typically energized. We met and said our hellos and I asked her if she wanted to go join up with some horses and she said “yes” - so I said, “okay, let’s go” and she paused. I encouraged her to open the gate, which she has done before maybe a handful of times. Even so, she was still lacking a confidence to move forward regardless of her past experience(s).

I paused for minute and a took a step back. I asked her to stand grounded, feet slightly apart, tall & soft AND take a deep breath. Eyes wide open.

How did she feel? “Calm”

Then I asked, okay, where are we going? “In with the horses” she replied.

Alright, let’s go there.

——> She struggled a number of times telling me where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do and yet still hesitant to go there and do it. She didn’t have words for what was stopping her, but, she did eventually explore and find the courage to open the gate herself and let us in. The lesson here for me is in the awareness that even among something we have done repeatedly a number of times, and felt confident doing so before - we can still become stuck. When our fears show up we have little to no control that they have arrived, but more so, the important thing is what we do with them. Taking a moment to ground, pausing and breathing, centering and balancing our stance - opening our eyes wide and sensing everything within and around us gives us a moment to expand our awareness and recognize that we are safe and all will be well.

I could have easily opened the gate for her or changed direction and said okay, we’re not going to go in with the horses. However, taking a moment, letting her navigate her thoughts, feelings and emotions and then choosing to move forward made all the difference in what happened next. It was a great day with the horses and in life!