So yes, Ron Pyne has been and gone. We went in, survived, and came out the other side - more knowledgeable and certainly more exhausted than we began!! Success all around but, as my brain is still overwelmed with the sheer volume of "stuff" learned, I will wait to blog about our adventures in Ronland when my cranium is quieter and I catch up on the many nights of lost sleep (due to anxiety - not because we were partying in the barn!)!
This week brought the release of one of my favourite kid movies to video. Generally, I find movies geared for the younger set mildly entertaining and occasionally hit on one that is downright amazing. How to Train Your Dragon was one such movie for me. Of course the animation was great, well written, great characters .... but the concept of the movie is what entriges me. The story of a young, geekish, viking boy who just doesn't have the heart to fight the local dragons, as his classmates do, goes against his father's and his communities wishes and ... wait for it .... trains one to be his friend (in secret of course!). Using love, language and leadership (and a whole lot of friendly game) the young boy flies off into the sunset on his new friend! But the real story unfolds as the boy needs to demonstrate to his fellow vikings that changing behaviour practiced by hundred of generations and befriending the dragons has far more benefits than battling against them. Hmmm - sound familiar?? Eerily so.
I am struck how often I discover (and use!) Parelli in the non-horsey parts of my life. 4 Phases work amazingly when raising kids for instance! And my 10 year struggle to lose my baby weight suddenly became clear with the statement: "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." Hmm - after 10 years its safe to say that what I am currently doing isn't working - time to try something different!! And yes - good, bad or otherwise - you can turn a RBI chihuahua into a LBE and the best little guard dog on the block!!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
My First Question is Always ... Why?
Occasionally the word "skeptic" has been used in conjunction with my name when discussing Parelli. A fellow Parelli-er jokes that I run a close second to her for the record number of times a clinic participant can ask "why?" on a single weekend. I find the word "skeptic" to be too negative in nature to describe me, but I am proud to be a highly-ranked why-asker!!
Like so many, I started my Parelli journey in a desperate attempt to cure my fear. Attendance at that Level 1 clinic in May 2008 was a last ditch attempt to acheive some kind of understanding with my horse. I was worn down with the burden of living in constant fear of something I loved so much and the urge to walk away from horses entirely was nipping at the corners of my mind. Up to that moment, I had spent almost 17 years listening to anyone who could give me advice in hopes of acheiving my goals (goals which in hindsight were completely scattered and undefined). My fairy-tale beginning started at the Level 1 clinic, and I walked out fighting tears of relief and taking joy in the deep down confidence that finally, I was on the right path.
The #1 lesson learned that weekend and the lesson that has guided me every day since: that my gut instinct is my biggest teacher. If I just stop and listen to myself, deep down I know for certain when it is right, or not. My fear developed when I stopped trusting myself and blindly followed advice or teaching of others. So at the conclusion of that clinic, I vowed to always ask "why?" on behalf of my horse and myself to safe guard our partnership. I ask "why" to learn the logic behind what is being taught. I ask "why" to see a vision of how the task will look in the future. I ask "why" to clarify teachings that seem to conflict with each other. I ask "why" to advance my learning. And then, after learning as much as possible with an open mind, I reserve the right to make an informed decision, on behalf of our herd of two, and decline a task if I feel it isn't right for one, or both of us. It was blindly following what others told me that almost took my true passion from me and asking "why" keeps me honest with myself. And Parelli is no exception! There may come a day when I decline a task - temporarily or permanently. But that is how I define Savvy - the courage to learn with an open mind, open eyes and open heart and to progress confidently forward, all while carefully listening to yourself and your horse.
So yup - I ask a lot of questions - appropriately timed and respectfully asked of course! I am not afraid to ask - I owe it to myself and my horse ('cause he can't talk yet!). And yes, my Parelli Instructor might have nightmares of someone constantly repeating why? why? why? ... but he has broad shoulders and I am sure he can handle it!
Clinic countdown = 8 days ........
Like so many, I started my Parelli journey in a desperate attempt to cure my fear. Attendance at that Level 1 clinic in May 2008 was a last ditch attempt to acheive some kind of understanding with my horse. I was worn down with the burden of living in constant fear of something I loved so much and the urge to walk away from horses entirely was nipping at the corners of my mind. Up to that moment, I had spent almost 17 years listening to anyone who could give me advice in hopes of acheiving my goals (goals which in hindsight were completely scattered and undefined). My fairy-tale beginning started at the Level 1 clinic, and I walked out fighting tears of relief and taking joy in the deep down confidence that finally, I was on the right path.
The #1 lesson learned that weekend and the lesson that has guided me every day since: that my gut instinct is my biggest teacher. If I just stop and listen to myself, deep down I know for certain when it is right, or not. My fear developed when I stopped trusting myself and blindly followed advice or teaching of others. So at the conclusion of that clinic, I vowed to always ask "why?" on behalf of my horse and myself to safe guard our partnership. I ask "why" to learn the logic behind what is being taught. I ask "why" to see a vision of how the task will look in the future. I ask "why" to clarify teachings that seem to conflict with each other. I ask "why" to advance my learning. And then, after learning as much as possible with an open mind, I reserve the right to make an informed decision, on behalf of our herd of two, and decline a task if I feel it isn't right for one, or both of us. It was blindly following what others told me that almost took my true passion from me and asking "why" keeps me honest with myself. And Parelli is no exception! There may come a day when I decline a task - temporarily or permanently. But that is how I define Savvy - the courage to learn with an open mind, open eyes and open heart and to progress confidently forward, all while carefully listening to yourself and your horse.
So yup - I ask a lot of questions - appropriately timed and respectfully asked of course! I am not afraid to ask - I owe it to myself and my horse ('cause he can't talk yet!). And yes, my Parelli Instructor might have nightmares of someone constantly repeating why? why? why? ... but he has broad shoulders and I am sure he can handle it!
Clinic countdown = 8 days ........
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Important Role of the Playgroup
Tuesday was one of our bi-weekly Parelli Playgroup sessions. Time to get together, play with horses (or without), visit, chat and eat. Time to catch up on horsey (or non-horsey) news and to applaud the little victories. But most important, time to support each other through the challenges of our individual learning pathways and help each other to stay progressive. I am constantly amazed at the vast differences between the ages and stages of each member of our group but how close and supportive our little Parelli "family" has become. The accomplishments from this group are too many to mention - but we are amazing!! Thank you group - it wouldn't be nearly as much fun without you!!
Tido had a great play on Tuesday. Ever so slowly he is gaining confidence playing with me on his right side and I can see and feel a much more balanced horse! It is such a joy to watch him concentrating on something new and not trying to "hide" by putting his left eye on me. Such a subtle habit on his part and took over a year to identify it as a "problem" (thank's Ron for helping figure out the puzzle!). In hindsight the signs were clear but .... what can I say, Tido's mischevious nature also lends to a great ability to cover up his weak areas!! The sweet finale to the day was Tido hanging his head over the gate of the pasture and watching me leave. I am deeply honored when he would rather spend time with me than grazing or being in the herd. It is indeed a privlege to be his partner and moments like that just confirm that we are on the right path!
So my nerves are starting to tingle a bit as I look at the calendar and realize that we are just 14 days until the continuing Level 3 clinic with Ron (Pyne). Always a pleasure to spend two days with Ron but stressful just the same. Have I spent enough time practicing perfectly what was covered in the spring clinic?? What challenges will he give us this round?? And all while learning in front of a small audience - yeesh - I still maintain that all Ron's clinics should come with a sedative for the night before!! Ron - we are ready for the big green ball soccer challenge - you won't beat us this time!! 14 days to go ....
Tido had a great play on Tuesday. Ever so slowly he is gaining confidence playing with me on his right side and I can see and feel a much more balanced horse! It is such a joy to watch him concentrating on something new and not trying to "hide" by putting his left eye on me. Such a subtle habit on his part and took over a year to identify it as a "problem" (thank's Ron for helping figure out the puzzle!). In hindsight the signs were clear but .... what can I say, Tido's mischevious nature also lends to a great ability to cover up his weak areas!! The sweet finale to the day was Tido hanging his head over the gate of the pasture and watching me leave. I am deeply honored when he would rather spend time with me than grazing or being in the herd. It is indeed a privlege to be his partner and moments like that just confirm that we are on the right path!
So my nerves are starting to tingle a bit as I look at the calendar and realize that we are just 14 days until the continuing Level 3 clinic with Ron (Pyne). Always a pleasure to spend two days with Ron but stressful just the same. Have I spent enough time practicing perfectly what was covered in the spring clinic?? What challenges will he give us this round?? And all while learning in front of a small audience - yeesh - I still maintain that all Ron's clinics should come with a sedative for the night before!! Ron - we are ready for the big green ball soccer challenge - you won't beat us this time!! 14 days to go ....
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