Sunday, October 11, 2009

Centering


I was just standing outside as the sun was rising, listening to the horses munch their breakfast and appreciating a V of geese that honked their way across the sky. This morning is the first truly cold frost that we’ve had. It’s so clear and quiet except for the sound of the rooster crowing, the geese calling to one another and the girls chewing contentedly. I felt very centered.

Late last night, I spoke to an old friend who lives in Los Angeles. We had lost touch for about ten years, and I’m so happy that she tracked me down again. We immediately fell into a comfortable conversation catching up so that it seemed like it was only ten days ago that we spoke, not ten years. It gave me cause to reflect on how many changes I’ve been through since those days when we would walk our dogs together in the Hollywood Hills every evening. I had only one animal and one man in my life at that time. Now, my world is full of family and creatures that sometimes seem to all need my attention every waking minute. It makes it harder to stay balanced and remember what it takes to be true to myself.

I thought about a moment of chaos that happened yesterday as the sun was setting. My daughter was having a teenage meltdown in the house because the computer wasn’t printing out her science project correctly. My husband was thousands of miles away in an airport, having missed a very important connecting flight, so the airline was sending him in the completely opposite direction to a different city in hopes of connecting there to a new flight that could get him to where he needs to be today. My mother was stressing out because she was hungry, and I wasn’t even close to making dinner for us. And the horses’ stalls had never been mucked because I’d been too busy all day to get to it.

To get some space and fresh air, I left the humans to fend for themselves and headed to the barn. Instead of feeding the horses and tucking them in for the night, I turned them out. Silk stood by the pasture gate, patiently waiting for me to let her back inside. Siete freaked out and exploded, bucking and squealing and giving voice and motion to all the frustrated, chaotic energy that was swirling around me. It was such a perfect visual for what I’d been feeling that I had to stop and laugh.

In that moment, I remembered something I read from author Lynn Andrews: “All of the distractions and pandemonium of your life are of your own choosing.”

Then, I also thought of a quote I saw earlier from Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer. He was talking about dogs, but it could have been horses: “They accept you as who you are - one leg, two legs, no eyes, no problem,” he says, “But they won’t accept unstable energy. That’s how much integrity they have.”

Thanks, Siete, for once again, bringing me back down to earth.

12 comments:

Rose said...

Beautifully written! A peaceful joy to read on a cold Sunday morning in Minnesota. And a reminder that we do have some control over our lives.

Trée said...

The last few posts have been like fresh air to me. Love the dog quote. Thanks Victoria.

Spartacus Jones said...

Good observation, Victoria.
Time with the horses always seem to clear my mind and settle my spirit.
At least, temporarily.

Reminds me of Victor Frankel's MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING. What happens may be outside your control; how you act in response to what happens is a choice that's up to you.

best,

sj

detroit dog said...

Really comforting post. Good vibes.

So funny that you mentioned Cesar Millan. I was thinking of him as I read your post; had just finished reading the NY Times piece about him, and just finished a post about him, too.

Lori Skoog said...

Me too! Ditto and all that. There's something about the comforting energy horses give off that soothes the soul.

Deejbrown said...

Everything good in our lives comes from our center, wherever that may be. Glad you are in touch with yours now...may it always be so!

Unknown said...

Only animals show us how out of touch we can be with ourselves...

Wonderful post...

Anonymous said...

Thank you - that was lovely! One of the best things about horses is that they are always real, and always "there" - it's a special gift to be in their presence.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Great post Victoria. Glad Siete made you laugh and find your center and balance.

Our horses have the ability to always make us feel better no matter what chaos is swirling around us. Your girls qualify for professional therapist status.

Lisa said...

Hmmm, very true. Our horses (and our dogs) accept us as we are, but seek centered energy. They gravitate towards it and center themselves immediately if given the chance. It's nice that your horses have such a free, open life.

Esther Garvi said...

That is so true! Good on Siete for saying it like it is!
I always try to remind myself that whenever things go wrong with my animals and they start to behave badly - prevention is the cure, and how much time I have really been spending with them lately?

John and Regina Zdravich said...

Horses are great for bringing everything into order.....they prove it all the time, don't they? Glad to hear you reconnected with an old friend. That is always very special.....