It was a beautiful day in Texas. I was with my boy, Nick.

I’ve been home for a couple of days after quite a stint away. It’s interesting that when you put out a lot of emotional and physical energy, it’s essential to restore your energy.

And that’s one of my favorite ideas I’ve learned over the years, whether it’s in a moment when you’re riding—you and your horse take a breath—or if it’s in the bigger picture for sleep – or if it’s in the bigger picture coming home and allowing your body to recharge.

That’s what this video is all about.

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Last week I did a video about no resistance to challenges, and it was really more about the kinds of things that come up as we’re riding, say, bad weather, the ground, judges, someone’s comments – those kinds of things.

It could also be our own inner voice saying detrimental things.

I was thrilled to see the comments and hear from you. I love that and I always know what’s ringing true for you so thank you.

One of the comments asked how does that idea apply to grief? I thought that was a really good question.

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Today, I want to tell you something that came up this week in our cutting class: I shared a mindset that is one of my favorites because it is so empowering. Inherent within it is a growth and resiliency mindset.

It’s about challenges and about not resisting them but embracing them.

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Hello, it’s Barb. I want to share something that happened this past week.

Have you had the experience of learning an idea and using it successfully to help you stay focused or get back on the right track, but it just fades away over time? Then, all of a sudden, it pops up again, and you realize how valuable it is.

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In this video I discuss a friend’s experience of feeling self-conscious and distracted during a private riding lesson with a trainer she admired.

Her feeling is natural due to our innate desire to connect and be approved by others.

I then suggest a simple tool for handling such feelings: asking oneself what one’s job is at that moment. In this case, my friend’s job was to gather information and feedback.

I introduced the concept of “pinging” (recently learned by Dr. Stephanie Burns), which involves directing one’s brain to focus on something specific—in this case, hearing and integrating the trainer’s information into the ride—undistracted.

I emphasized the importance of setting an intention to tune into the experience’s purpose and integrate the feedback received.

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It’s Barb, and I’m here with my favorite boy, Nic.

I want to tell you about some things that happened this past week.

First, my husband and I called a good friend because we knew his shoulder was sore. It turned out that he had a shoulder infection and was in the hospital. His shoulder replacement had become infected, which was quite serious, so he was in the hospital.

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For several weeks, I’ve hosted a Webinar Series with Dr. Stephanie Burns, a specialist in adult learning and the human brain and body.

The series focuses on transforming our thoughts about what’s possible as we age, our perception of time, and strategies for experiencing an enriched life regardless of age.

After each webinar, I’ve enjoyed offering some “Cowgirl Perspectives” on how the ideas of that week’s webinar can be incorporated into “horse life.”

Last week, we briefly explored the topic of fear, primarily as it relates to returning to riding after an accident.

This week’s video is a clip from one of my “Cowgirl Perspectives.”

If you haven’t joined us already, there’s still time. This work is truly life-changing.

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Hello, my beautiful friends.

Oh my gosh. It is the most magnificently sunny, balmy winter day. And perhaps where you are, too, the weather is improving.

Being on my boy and taking a little ride feels so great.

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I watched an interview with Novak Djokovic. I was fascinated by how he handled himself to stay courageous during a lengthy tennis match. He used scripting to encourage himself to believe in himself and focus on his job in the game and stay on track.

Enjoy. There’s a little humor at the beginning and end of the video.

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And, Change is a Gift

There is always change in our horse lives.

This can happen when our horse has to be laid off. Or, we might experience a change in our financial capabilities to follow through on plans. Or, we might get the news that a trainer or a vet is moving. These are just a few examples. You fill in your own blanks.

Change is the only thing that is sure in our lives.

As I write this article, I am feeling that ultimate happy/sad state that change can bring. There’s a big change happening in my life right now.

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