You’ve Already Won

Whatever our goals are with our horses, the journey is always full of potholes – some big and some not-so-big. There’s just no way around it. It’s hard sometimes.

I want to share a mindset that I hope will help you get through the setbacks you experience.

And that’s because stuff always happens. Always, and the nature of all of life is up and down and all around.

We can’t get rid of the yuck, but we can have the fortitude and the perseverance that nothing can stop us. Nothing. And with that mindset, you’ve already won.

That’s what this mini-podcast is all about.

. .

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT:

I can remember being ready to leave for the Futurity with one of the best horses I had ever ridden, and then, she tied up in her kidneys.

I was devastated.

That was years ago, but I can remember it like it was yesterday, and the emotions can still come over me all over again if I’m not careful.

The ending to that story, however, was a good one. An angel vet helped her through, and we made the finals. That mare was a saint, too. She loved her job so much and went on to be a leading broodmare in the cutting world.

The reality is that nobody, not even your greatest heroes, is immune from setbacks, letdowns, and self-doubt. So, know you’re in good company with the rest of the world when you feel like all is for naught.

But I do have a simple idea for when you are feeling disillusioned or stuck in some way.

You can always start again, right from where you are, and know that all you need is the next small step – and that will lead you forward. That’s enough. And so are you.

You’re always enough, no matter where you are at this moment.

It also helps to take a moment and remember why you do what you do. Fill in your own version of something like, “I will take the next small step so I can be one more step closer to more knowledge, more connection, and more joy with my horse. I’ll keep growing. I’ve decided to fall in love with getting stronger, no matter what it takes.”

When you make a decision to learn from tough experiences, you also decide you will do whatever it is you want to do.

You’re going to stay in the game.

You’re going to move forward.

Tell yourself, “Watch me. I’ve got this. I can do it. And I’ll keep taking these steps for as long as it takes because I have a beautiful vision of me and my horse doing our thing.”

When you do that, you’ve already won!

Leave a comment for me! Let me know what you think.

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Comments

15 Comments on You’ve Already Won

  1. Isobel Hertlein on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 1:25 pm

    2. thank you Barb. I needed this today.

  2. Cathy Gouweloos on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 1:26 pm

    3. You’re always enough, no matter where you are at this moment.

    Thank you for this thought. I seem to spend my life being a “rescuer” and actually, I need to spend more time on me, I am enough.

  3. Leslie Sterling Torres Professional aesthetics on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 1:29 pm

    4. Really 👍 great

  4. Devon Camilleri on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 2:01 pm

    5. I am healed from a hip replacement and have been back in the saddle on my reined working cow horse 3 times. Yay! Feeling good, actually feeling great!!!

    Not certain I will jump right back into the show pen. Savering the moments here and now.

    Love your encouragement, Barb.

  5. Wendy on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 2:12 pm

    6. Loved this!! Thank you Barbara!!

  6. Carol MacGregor on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 3:16 pm

    7. Hi Barb, This was just a great audio for practical inspiration. Thank you for your personal story about your mare Sally. So nice to hear that she went on to become such a wonderful brood mare in the cutting world. 🙂

  7. Andy Testa on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 3:33 pm

    8. Your message is beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
    Inspiring and something that I need to regularly remind myself. Thank you!!!!!!

  8. Christy on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 7:02 pm

    9. Beautiful message Barb, thank you for sharing your experience and insight! I needed to hear this after I messed up at a show recently.

  9. Lee Sorenson on Sun, 19th Mar 2023 8:04 pm

    10. What a great reminder to just take the next right step and keep moving forward!! So much of what you share is so meaningful to me Barb that I print it to refer to it again and again! Thank you!

  10. Adalia on Mon, 20th Mar 2023 5:09 pm

    11. Your insights are gifts and more than inspiring to me and my Ms. Comet Horse…thank you again!!

  11. Kerry Randall on Tue, 21st Mar 2023 12:34 pm

    12. Wonderful insight!!!😍

  12. Karen Steward on Tue, 21st Mar 2023 4:12 pm

    13. Hi Barb, once again you’re “reading my mail”. 2022 was full of very serious setbacks for me. I was certain that I’d never get through it let alone get to ride again. However lots of prayers from others and the gift of perseverance has gotten me back in the saddle and I’m so excited. Thank you always for yours and Sandy’s encouragement.

  13. Renae Jones on Tue, 21st Mar 2023 7:59 pm

    14. Every time I show and look at the video later I need to remember this post. After all it’s the first step just to enter the Arena

  14. Robbin Sinclair on Thu, 23rd Mar 2023 6:47 am

    15. Good one Barb! My road in retirement is very bumpy. Small and big potholes. I remember that saying “tough times don’t last but tough people do”. Yep today is a new day and stuff will get sorted out!

  15. Vera Widmer on Thu, 23rd Mar 2023 9:49 am

    16. This post is so good. Almost too good to be true. I try to remember it when I think I am weak and a failure and hope it will bring me through it as a winner.
    Thank you dear Barb so much. Hugs Vera

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