No Limit Women!

I think it's absolutely wonderful that so many people are no longer buying into a life of limitation.  Great thinkers for hundreds of years have encouraged us conceive, believe and achieve. That we are the generals of our own lives, and many of us are finally getting it.  It doesn't have to be anything grand like inventing a computer, or a motor that doesn't use fossil fuels.  No, it's the little freedoms that we are claiming as our own that are making differences in our health, well being and attitude to life.

Yesterday the World inspired me with what it had to show me.  I was sitting relaxing under a beautiful old oak tree in a wildlife preserve area and off in the distance I saw a group of riders coming my way.  Their horses were moving towards me at quite a determined clip and they had my total attention.

I used to ride back in the day, and it was the most exhilarating  feeling to have the wind flying through my hair as the hooves pounded beneath me.  The creak of the saddle leather, the smell of those sweaty shoulders in front of me, those delicate ears constantly swinging back to check on me then flipping forward to watch the terrain flying up to meet us, the mighty burst of power when I recklessly asked for more speed....aahh....that was living!  I was a teenager back then and absolutely fearless on a horse as most teenagers are.

 
As these riders swung out from the oak grove and into the parking lot beside me I saw they were all women.  The first couple dismounted and allowed their horses to drink in the watering tank and the others lined up in couples behind them, patiently waiting their turn.  As they swung off their sweaty steeds it became apparent that most of these ladies weren't teenagers.  In fact, several of these bold riders probably were grandparents to teenagers.  They looked very stiff, quite sore, and yet I didn't not hear any complaints.  Their faces were beaming with pride and they petted and loved on their gentle partners,  pulled the saddles off and fed them treats.

These women had no such limiting belief that they were too old, too heavy  or too infirm  to ride.  No way!  These gals were out for a good time.  What an inspiration they were. 

"Was it as good for you as it was for me?"

Heading home for a hot shower.

The Law of Least Effort

It's been quite the year of not-so-much-fun events for me this year. 

I've had plenty of opportunities to grow as each new challenge dropped unexpectedly into my lap from seemingly a great height, bringing with it a new set of situations I have to find a way of dealing with.  I know that I'm not the only one and I truly feel for those whose situations seem to be an unrelenting grind of exaggerated proportions.

It seems to me, though, that when I can take time to quieten myself down after each broadside the World does offer a teaching, or simply just an alternative way of looking at the situation.  Yesterday, after the latest upheaval, I was sitting quietly re-reading that classic book of Dr Deepak Chopra's "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" looking for some inspiration.  As I was reading the Law of Least Effort I noticed some movement in the bushes outside my window.  Some little rodent was in the bush.  I'd seen glimpses of it before but as soon as it felt my eyes on it it instantly disappeared.  It occurred to me that I would borrow  Deepak's law and see if I could get a picture of the little rodent, after all I don't believe in coincidences; that creature was in the bush in front of me for a reason.  I quietly and easily, without any exaggerated effort, got out of my chair, collected my camera, sat back down and looked through my Lens.   The little fella was still there and it made it quite clear that it was watching me as I was watching it, and it was not in any mood to leave until it was good and ready!

So what was different about my energy that invited the animal to share the space this time and not on other occasions?  The only difference that comes to mind is that this time I was going to take a picture of it.  On other days it was oh my gosh! Look at that! Where's my camera?... oh, never mind - it's gone already.


This was the teaching the World had for me this time.  As the famous Yoda said, there is no try.  There is only do or not do, and when I release all the drama and angst from any situation the way becomes clear, although not always easy.  The Law of Least Effort in action.

I'm not quite sure what animal this is so I'm linking this to the Nature Notes at Rambling Woods as I'm sure Michelle or someone else will identify it for me.