Podcast Episode 205 - 5 Lessons I Learned From My Horse
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Has anyone ever asked you, “what’s wrong” and you weren’t sure how they knew you were hurting? You thought it masked it so well.
Have you experienced trauma, big or small, that you need healing from, but others say you’ll never overcome your past?
Would you like to know how you can become the best parent, spouse, friend and leader you can be?
It’s the final episode of our series on lessons I learned from my pets. We’ve got one more wild place to find wisdom. Today is 5 Lessons I Learned From My Horse.
Today is for you if…
If you need a safe space to grow.
If you desire to be a great leader or make a difference in this world.
If you’re ready to do what’s necessary for permanent growth.
Here are five lessons I learned from my horse:
Your Body Language Reveals What You’re Really Thinking
Horses can read body language and emotions. Even the slightest movements. They can also communicate feelings back to you.
Your face and body are saying more than your words are.
University of Texas study said that face-to-face communication is: 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only.
What you’re thinking and feeling seeps into your body language. What are you communicating?
Vanessa Van Edwards has a fascinating book on body language and vocal cues called to...wait for it…Cues…Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication. Check it out if you want to grow in this area to look, feel and sound more confident and develop your emotional intelligence (reading others’ emotions and knowing what to do).
Consistency is the Key to Progress
I must consistently train my horse, or we’d lose momentum.
In life, consistency is your key to progress. Where do you need to be consistent?
Use reminders, accountability partners, coaches, therapists, tools and apps. It’s okay if you can’t be consistent alone. I need deadlines and people waiting on me to get things done. I used to beat myself up, but now I give myself grace and self-compassion.
Walk by Their Side to Lead Others
You don’t walk in front or behind when you walk a horse. You walk alongside, shoulder to shoulder.
The highest level of leadership is relational leadership. People aren’t just worker bees to get stuff done; you’re not just telling people what to do, but walking alongside and showing others what to do.
My parents are relationship leaders both in their jobs and as parents. I had such love and respect for them because of it. They were always willing to admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. They walked along with you helping. They would never ask anyone to do something they weren’t willing to do themself.
People know they believe in and love them no matter what because they’ve proven it over the long haul.
We can do the same with those we influence, like family, friends, and co-workers.
Me at about 15 years old with Matisse
You Can Recover From Trauma / Stress / Anxiety
Horses bond with people and other horses; they’re even used in trauma and disability therapy. My horse was my happy place. I could go to the barn and let everything else in the world go for those few hours. I didn’t even have to ride but just spent time brushing or bathing him.
If you’ve been through trauma or are continually stressed out or anxious., that’s not Father’s plan for you. He desires healing and wholeness for you. That’s what eternal life means; Zoe life is health and wholeness both here and now and in the future. It’s both physical and spiritual wholeness.
Get help when you need help. A great book I love on trauma is Try Softer by Aundi Kolber. She approaches trauma and healing from a biblical perspective and permits you to give yourself compassion as you journey to wholeness and health.
Play Matters
Have you noticed every animal we’ve talked about plays? I’m pretty sure every mammal on this planet plays in some way, shape or form. Horses are no exception. They play with their owners and each other. My horse used to do running games with his pasture buddy when cars drove by.
Play is excellent for your physical fitness, and it reduces stress.
What can you play can you incorporate that will also give you some physical exercise?
Miniature golf or Top Golf, Bowling, Horseback riding, bike riding, hiking, etc.
Follow these five lessons; we’ll be someone others want to follow, just like our stable sidekicks.
If you’re enjoying this podcast, please take a moment and rate or review it or share it with a friend.
You’ve got this, and Father’s got you!
Thanks a Bunch for listening!
Until Next Time, Live Fearlessly Free!!
Resources
Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication by Vanessa Van Edwards*: https://amzn.to/3K92LMO
Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy by Aundi Kolber*: https://amzn.to/42Dt453
The Try Softer Guided Journey: A Soulful Companion to Healing (workbook)*: https://amzn.to/3TLc0WK
*I will receive an Amazon affiliate commission if you purchase a book through this link.