Positive Realism and what's a girl to do when it's cold outside?

This quote from Ralph Marston really resonates with me today, as I face another day and week of weather not conducive to riding. Here I am with a new baby horse, a set of goals for the year, and all the motivation I need to get started.... and it is 14 degrees and frozen outside. I don't have an indoor, and I won't be putting in one any time so it is time to make adjustments....



Ralph Marston on Making adjustments
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Success is never achieved in a straight line. Although it's great to carefully put together workable, realistic plans, life doesn't always go according to plan.

Yet even when conditions change quickly and dramatically, success is still possible. To succeed in such a world as this, you must be willing to constantly adapt.

When something fails to go the way you planned, it's not the end of the world. In fact, things could eventually turn out to be even better than you planned.

Regardless of what happens or fails to happen, you can choose to successfully work it into your path forward. Instead of making judgments about what you cannot control, make adjustments in those things you can control.

It might be nice if everything were to play out according to your plan, but the thing is, it won't. There will most certainly be surprises, so you might as well find a way to make positive use of them.

Don't give up on your goals or dreams just because things change. Adapt, make adjustments, and make every turn of events move you forward.

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And then I think of the old adage, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." What can I do with my horses and riding on a day and week like this?

I thought of going out for a hack but the snow balls up in their feet making it treacherous for our safety and their soundness.

I could also trailer out to an indoor somewhere...  (and I may do that), but is that worth it?

Shopping. Hello Saddlery Liquidators... oh wait, Marc isn't there on Sundays.

Planning, organizing, dreaming, reading. Yes. Work on Positive Realism.

Yesterday, I had the honor and delight of giving a talk and leading a discussion with a group of Area II Riders at the USEA Area 2 Annual Meeting. It was so energizing and fun to be there with others, sharing ideas, and getting pumped up about our 2014 season.

Especially since none of us were able to ride in the foreseeable future, due to inclement weather....

So today will be a day of self-reflection, making notes, and generating ideas on what I have accomplished, and where I want to go from here, and then mapping out new plans on how to make that happen. 

I am going to start with two lists of sorts. One a list of all the positive aspects of my riding, each of my horses, and our partnership. The second will be a list of all the critical or realistic aspects of these three components. From there, I will take these lists and make each aspect into a functional goal.

Then I will get started on goals for each horse. I have FIVE horses to consider so this will take some time...  

If you were at our discussion yesterday, you have handouts that detail what such lists look like. I will posts these on my website, www.abequestrian.com as soon as it is up and running. That should be within the next week, if all goes as "planned."

Until then, pat yourself on the back, and kick yourself on the behind! It takes both to make for success!