A long walk in the corn fields, canyons, or watching the cows graze or horses run was a great way to “slow down the world” and just take in the beauty of the day! This was how I was raised; “just go outside for a while and things will look better.” That’s what my grandmother would always say. She’s no longer with us but her wisdom still reigns! I find myself sharing her wisdom with many these days as we need to “slow down the chaos” and try corralling it. A hometown “cowgirl” friend shared the following devotional reading. It fits what we need to ponder in the upcoming COVID-19 days…
TRUST THE DRIVER.
As a general rule, horses don’t like trailers, and many don’t want to go in. Others don’t like coming out. I have horses that plant their feet at the trailer door. The trick is to walk them away and take another run at it. Sometimes you need to load their buddy first or bribe them with food. Why are most horses not fond of trailers? They aren’t sure where they are going or what awaits them when they get there. The ride doesn’t make sense to the horse, although the driver knows where the horse is going. Much like our horse friends, sometimes life makes us feel as if we’re being pushed, pulled, and taken for a ride we don’t always want to be on.
- Unbridled Faith: 100 Devotions from the Horse Farm, by Cara Whitney
The chaos that COVID-19 has caused us at work, home, and in our families is a tough challenge we must endure, and it doesn’t always make sense. Sometimes we feel like giving up. Yet, take heart and press on.
STAY safe, healthy, and sane.
TALK about it at work, home, or over the phone.
CALL someone each day to help make your day and theirs. I call my son, mom, siblings and friends to hear their voices. Not just see their texts, but to actually “take their mood temperature.”
This is such an unprecedented time and is one in which we are all in this together as a WORLD! We need to be there together, controlling what we can by keeping social distance but not forgetting that emotional closeness is paramount to our health as well.
Be nice in all your social interactions, be a positive Facebook buddy, empathetic team player, good listener, and virtual “hugger.”
The following image was posted on social media recently and I felt the need to print it and hang it on my office to remind myself of how I want to be during this world crisis. I recognize MY way to reign in the chaos when I am not sitting out on my back deck soaking in the world around me!
Who do YOU want to be during COVID-19?
- Barbara
(a.k.a. the 1982 Fourth Runner Up Rodeo Queen – yes, it involved horses!)