Resistance into Softness

Yesterday, maybe when I was looking at the photos of Eeyore and the tarp, I was mindful of the feel of her resistance and how, after consistently and patiently directing her, she evenutally softened and trusted me and herself and how we were able to, then, work together as a team . . .

It was a matter of me being purposeful and consistent and patient and kind . . . until she chose to trust and give . . .

It followed naturally for me to make the connection to my relationship with my Father . . . and how I am often resistant to Him . . . because I think I know better . . . or . . . because I'm too unsure or scared of moving forward . . . or . . . because I'm focused on another direction and pulling to go that way . . . and I don't know what He knows, just as my horse doesn't know what I know . . . and it's all about trusting . . . and about having faith.

When there is struggle within, it's because I'm keeping myself stuck or fighting against the pressure that my Father uses as a cue . . .  His pressure may be to keep me from going the wrong direction . . . or to keep me from hurting myself . . .  or to ask me to move in His chosen direction . . . and sometimes, He just sets pressure up so I will learn to stand and wait until I'm asked to go forward . . .

and when I fight the pressure . . . it's the worst place to be . . . There is discord and struggle and worry and fear and anger that can turn into bitterness unless I learn to GIVE . . .

and in Giving to the One who loves me and knows better than I know, I am not becoming "less."  I am not giving up who I am . . . but I am able to accomplish the things I was made to accomplish and go to the places He knows are best for me . . .

and it's the same with our horses . . . They hate being in that fighting place . . . they hate being unsure and fearful . . . and when we are educated and kind and purposeful in our focus,  if our horses will trust us and GIVE, we can accomplish wonderful feats with them . . .

Giving is something that happens in our hearts . . . and in our minds . . . We work to get to that place in our horse training . . . and Our Father works with us to get us in that soft place with Him . . .

We look for a soft eye in our horses because it shows a willingness to give.

A horse with a soft eye is not giving up its identity but is opening possibilities to do and be "more."

and only then can we move without resistance, together, smoothly and harmoniously and safely and happily and hopefully . . . and that's when the music starts playing and our spirits can soar . . .

When we are in that mode together, there are infinite possibilities -- more awesome than we can imagine.