Greeting from Smithfield! First of all I want to say what a pleasure it is to be able to dictate this to Chris. We all have wonderful lives here and this is just icing on the cake.

Chris and I have had many memorable talks about life experiences and why things happen the way they do. Chris didn’t always understand that everything happens for a reason and if it is meant to be it will be. Of course, we have all heard those statements but are we really listening? Well, most horses and animals in general that have life changing experiences in their past do. And we create our own future experiences by what we react to or do not react to. This all relates to the natural laws – which Chris was nice enough to explain to me and it makes perfect sense. Giving something energy gives it life. So giving negative thoughts and negative deeds energy gives them a life all their own. So if we choose not to react but to say, “This too shall pass and what can I learn from this” then in effect we learn and we grow. If we see it for what it is – an act of fear, then it is easier to not react. If we choose the incorrect way of thinking or taking the world personally, we choose to relive and redo all the same lessons and challenges in our lives over and over again. This was a hard lesson for Chris who used to take the ugliness of people personally and react to it. Now I have opened her eyes to show her that everyone has their own issues and their own agenda. These acts or reactions are their path and to not take on their responsibilities or lessons. And most people do take the world personally and play/be the victim. We have had many talks about this but if you remember only one thing from this column, remember this: People have their own agendas in their life. People have good intentions to say what they intend to do and maybe they will and maybe they won’t do it. So thank them for the intent, do not expect it and be pleasantly surprised if and when it does happen. Do not expect anything from anyone but do not be negative about it either.

I have had this general philosophy most of my life after several misunderstandings and impatience issues with owners and riders. I wanted to know that I was priority and first in their life, that I was important, and I wanted them to understand I had been in certain situations that frightened me and I needed someone to tell me they would take care of me. That didn’t always happen. People had good intentions but their thoughts quickly changed and I could not always could on them. Horses are thought of differently, a means for ribbons, a furry transportation vehicle, a status symbol. Only if you are lucky does the friend and confidant come into play. So the philosophy came into being. I had a job to do, I did it, but I worked hard at protecting myself as well.
Over the years, I have modified it to fit the people I am with. And now, being older and wiser, I do not feel like I need to take the hard edge on this anymore. And of coarse, being in a good place in your life and in your heart gives you the clarity to think and act appropriately to your soul needs. So be true and kind to yourself and all good things will follow.

Any comments would be happily received. Please email them to Chris, attention Burman at pcs-llc@sprynet.com

Lots of Love and Happy Trails,
The Burman