This time of year is always filled with so much energy and intention around making changes, committing to resolutions, and setting goals. To be honest with you for me the “best ever” madness has become deafening. Most of you know that I love growing, I’m all about experiencing new things, and its pretty rare for me to decide something is “just not in my wheelhouse”. So I have no issue with wanting more for ourselves in the year to come. What I do have a concern with is finding a balance between striving for more and picking apart the shortcomings? Trying to cut out every dark messy corner of our lives not only seems unrealistic but extremely haphazard.

Those shadows are vitally important.

The horses (and humans for that matter) that give us the opportunity to appreciate their strengths and weaknesses equally are the greatest teachers. Not just in horsemanship but about life. They show us how being whole, not perfect is what’s most important. At the moment that we are faced with difficulty it takes a ton of courage to let ourselves feel the discomfort, embrace the struggle, and find appreciation for it. Appreciate the fact that there is something to be learned. Appreciate that the discomfort has the ability to amplify it’s opposing feeling. Appreciate that to have a shadow it means there must be light on the other side. When we recognize the strength found in the shadow of darkness we are able to fully experience the grace of the light.

As I create my vision for 2019 I plan to keep in mind the words of the amazing Jane Fonda- “We are not meant to be perfect. We are meant to be whole” and I invite you to do the same.

Insightfully,

Becky

The post On Being Whole appeared first on Insightful Equine.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller

We can all agree that horses are stunning but there is something that is much more powerful than their looks. And that is our connection to them. The reason we love being with them is more than just their breathtaking beauty, their sleek coats, the sound of their hooves, or their big gorgeous eyes.

It’s what is behind those eyes. The harmony your soul feels when riding in sync with such an energetically powerful animal. It’s the part of ourselves that becomes awakened by them. The part of them that is felt with our hearts. The energy of the horses is perceived by the heart even when they are not present to be seen or touched. And that is what makes them worthy of being considered among the best and most beautiful beings in the world.

Insightfully,

Becky

The post Heart Felt Awareness appeared first on Insightful Equine.

I love how the picture captures this little guy’s inquisitiveness. It reminds me of being a kid and asking “why” followed up by a dozen or so “but why”s. As I am faced with new challenges in business and new experiences with horses it seems that letting my curious inner child take over could be the best path to making progress.

I need to remind myself that it’s good to nurture the curiosity within. Instead of judging something as good or bad looking at as interesting. Let the unknown trigger excitement instead of anxiousness. Use wonder to discover an outlook that serves me and the horses.

Insightfully,

Becky

The post Progress Through Curiosity appeared first on Insightful Equine.

Balancing The Elements

This shot of wild horses was taken on a trip we took to the Outerbanks for my sister’s wedding in 2012. With her anniversary a few days away the timing is perfect to dive into thoughts of wild horses soaking in the sun, with the wind in their manes, waves washing over their legs, and their hoof prints in the sand.
Getting to watch the wild herd roaming around right outside the beach house was incredible. They were some of the most peaceful and grounded animals I’ve ever seen.

This scene also makes me think of my old dog Reggie, he went on this trip with us at the chipper age of 17. He had fire energy all the way. My Grandma even gave him the nickname Sparky. He lived his life taking action and forging ahead without hesitation. He’d never pass up the chance to jump in a water tank on a hot day or tear into anything that resembled a critter hideout. There were plenty of times he got himself into tricky situations but somehow he’d find his way out with just as much energy and passion as got him there in the first place. He was a once in a lifetime pup. I strive to have even a smidge of the Fire he had.

If any of you ever have the chance to head to the ocean in spring I highly recommend it. Going before the busy season means it’s quiet enough to let go of the million thoughts you brought with you and just let the elements work their magic. I’m sure I’ll go back again to visit the horses and feel the kind of balance that comes from sitting in the warm sand breathing in the ocean air.

Insightfully,

Becky

Ps. Sis if your reading this I hope you and Seth have a happy anniversary and a wonderful year ahead filled with the stability of Earth, the clarity of Air, the passion of Fire and the ambition of Water.

The post Balancing The Elements appeared first on Insightful Equine.

The post Connections Run Deep appeared first on Insightful Equine.