The Art of Not Striving
The Wisdom of the Horse
Greetings, dear Sunny Optimists,
I have had a lovely break over the summer, and I feel refreshed and ready for something new.
I decided back in June to stop writing this newsletter when I fell and hurt my shoulder. Typing was particularly challenging. Now, I see that there was more to this decision than I realised at the time. Looking back, I recognise now that my weekly publishing schedule had become somewhat onerous. After 147 episodes, I was rather jaded and new ideas for each newsletter began to fade.
For the first few weeks, it was like being on holiday. I enjoyed having a different rhythm to my life. I loved the spaciousness of the summer holiday with the grandkids. It was easy, and my days were full. However, the kids returned to school this week, and I wonder if it is time to start writing again. There was an inner part of me that was voicing caution.
Do you really want to do this again?
I decided to explore the ramifications of resuming this newsletter before I made a final decision, and funnily enough, I felt called to write about the process.
How about that? LOL!
The Question Basket
In my Earth Wisdom training, we have a 'holding the question' protocol which I find helpful when pondering taking action. I find it beneficial to take time with the question to help me move beyond my ego and to access my honest truth. Opening up a metaphorical basket is powerful to gather the responses that come in from life. I have chosen the word 'responses' quite deliberately. It is important not to seek answers just yet. It is more to let the question percolate in my awareness for a while and to drop insights into the basket as they arise.
Responses may come when I am washing up or out for a walk, sleeping, or conversing with another person. All responses are welcome, even if they feel pessimistic. I don't edit; I just stay open.
What unfolded this week in response to opening my basket relates to horse wisdom. My lovely eight-year-old granddaughter, Gracie, has been passionate about horses since she was little. This summer has been filled with riding lessons and 'hacking' in the countryside. I have always been a bit cautious around horses, and being with this fearless girl who is so passionate about them is truly delightful. She has opened my awareness to their contribution to our wellbeing.
Can you see the contentedness and joy on her face in the photo below?
Because of Gracie, I recently ordered a book with oracle cards called 'The Way of the Horse’ by Linda Kohanov with illustrations by Kim McElroy. Now I love Oracle cards. I have quite a few sets that, over the years, I have used personally and in my coaching practice. They help us access other parts of the mind that offer insights beyond logic or rationality. The use of equine archetypes is new to me, so I looked forward to seeing what they would offer. For each archetype, Linda organises each chapter into three aspects 'the Gift, the Challenge and the Journey'.
The card I pulled out yesterday is called 'Desert of Inspiration', and it was all about the power of creative limbo. Oh boy, what a reassuring message to pop into my metaphorical basket. I felt as if she had written the chapter just for my situation. The challenge is to stay in the discomfort of not doing and not ride over this: the new will emerge in good timing.
A sentence that jumped out at me was, 'The art of not striving has been lost, and we’re suffering a host of stress-related illnesses as a result'. I love the phrase The Art of Not Striving. It is so poetic and a significant life lesson for me. It has an elemental simplicity to it that I find deeply evocative. Am I capable of not striving? I have a deep preference for doing and for achieving that as I age I wish to find more balance with this.
As I was contemplating this information from the book, an interesting thing happened. I wanted to write about this exploration. I experienced a call to come back to sitting at my computer, musing about my life and burnishing it, ready to share with you. I will stay in this creative limbo for a while as I let the responses drop into my basket. I am sure I will let you know what has unfolded. And as I prepare to push the publish button today, I am happy:).
Questions for this Week
What is your experience with the wisdom of the horse?
Do you have any equine adventures to share that have helped you?
How does the ‘Art of Not Striving’ resonate in your life just now?
As always, I would love to hear from you,
Ann
PS Missy Wryn, Holistic Horse Trainer, created a video around a Way of the Horse card she chose. In the video, she shares how horse wisdom relates to a situation in her life. interesting that she, too, felt how relevant the card was.
The Art of Not Striving. Something I strive to do. 😂😂 Much love and appreciation.
Of course I’m going to have a look at horse wisdom oracle cards. My heart is pulsating at the thought of them!
I have learnt so much from my equine companions. Mostly about how I’m feeling and how when I’m striving to ‘make’ them do what I want they reflect back the question “how comes? What am I trying to prove?”. That driveness is a sure sign of striving and yet in leadership I was thought being driven is an asset. I’ve since learnt it’s a sign of my ego trying to prove and protect me.
Enjoy your encounters with your new equine friends and thank you for sharing your musing again 💕