There is something to say about time put in. In the beginning of my journey there was much doubt and skepticism. Not so much because I didn't believe the Parelli methods would work, but I've come to learn (learn being a key word here!) that experience as taught me to trust the process. I have seen the process work and I now have faith in that process (thank you Pat!) and confidence in my leadership. When I learned to trust the process a peace came to me. I imagine the feeling is quite mutual with my horses -- when they realize they can trust me as their leader, they put their faith in me and they relax. It's a beautiful thing... and priceless.
But it comes at a cost. I've now shared hundreds of hours with my horses, utilizing every moment with them as an opportunity to learn and develop. I dedicated myself to never-ending self-improvement and each time I fell down, got frustrated, or wanted to quit, I got back up. My dedication is always rewarded with an epiphany along the way and those rewards become addicting! Not such a bad thing to be addicted to!
My most recent light bulb (or BFO, as the Parelli community fondly calls them -- "blinding flash of obvious", "Big fat Oh!", etc) happened after a series of learning events. In the spring and early summer of this year I audited several clinics (Emily Thompson 3*PP, Jerry Williams 4*PP, Carol Coppinger 5*PP), had several lessons (Pete Rhodda, Jerry Williams, Karen Woodbury 3*PP), participated in horseless workshops with Karen, volunteered to play with horses at the Horse Protection Association of Florida (www.hpaf.org), and watched the latest (and seriously the greatest) Savvy Club DVDs. I've been connecting the dots more and more and shedding my ego and agenda. It feels like it's been a long road to rid myself of my old habits, but three and half years really isn't that long in the scheme of things, knowing I put at least 16 years into being traditionally minded and cruel. But I wouldn't change my journey even if it was offered to me. I am so grateful of where I am going and who I have become because of my past and I desire to never go back - my past drives me to keep pushing forward. The relationship with my partners will always come first, before agenda, before convenience, before ego. But I am and will always be a student and give myself that leeway to make mistakes, to learn and develop my savvy, and continue being the leader that my partner needs me to be.
More practically speaking, I've really started to understand the psychology behind the introvert and what the introvert requires from me as a leader. I've seen my own LBI offer me way more while I am doing far less and it only took a little psychology (and patience!). To see my partner go from unmotivated and tuned out to offering effort and mental connection is priceless... Too priceless for words, really.
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