Real Riding Challenge Day 12- Staying Positive

Let’s face it, when you set out to work with your horse every single day you are bound to have set backs. But I find the more you try to look at the positive, the better off you will be. And that is what today’s challenge is all about.

I like to think that I am a positive minded person. I tend to look at things as half full rather than half empty. But even the positive minded can get discouraged from time to time. Here are some things that I do to help stay in a more positive frame of mind.

Staying Positive – Always

One of the ways I stay positive is to always be grateful for all of the good that has come into my life. I focus on this rather than what went wrong.

Be Grateful

Each and every one of us have so many things to be grateful for. Be sure to reflect on that from time to time. It can really do a lot to elevate your mood, and your outlook on your current situation.

I try to ‘practice gratitude every single day. Whether I’m at work, or home. And I try to surround myself with the things I am grateful for, like my family, my horses, and everything that I have. This might sound silly, but every morning and night while I am brushing my teeth (sorry, TMI) I walk around my house. Yes, I get steps for my step counter, but I also take in everything around me. And I am grateful for everything I have, and every opportunity I have been given. It’s a nice way to start and end each day.

Be Thankful

Now you might be thinking that being thankful is the same as being grateful. And in a way, it is. But it’s also different. Let me give you an example. If someone gives you a compliment, how do you respond? Do you say thank you? Or do you play down what they are saying thank you for? We’ve all done it. Someone pays you a compliment, and you downplay it, and say something like, “no, thank you” or you down play their gratitude. Like if someone tells you that your two point looks great. And you respond with something like, “yeah but my legs are swinging all over the place!”

Instead of always putting down the compliments, just say thank you. It feels good to accept a compliment. And once you start opining yourself up to receiving compliments, it’s much easier to stay positive in general. You are deserving of compliments, remember that.

Slow Down

When you have limited time and limited opportunities to work with your horse, you may be inclined to rush. If you find yourself getting frustrated, stop. Take a deep breath and then let it out.

You don’t have to do 15,000 things when you are riding your horse. Pick one thing that you want to accomplish, and do it. If your horse gets antsy in the cross ties, practice on getting him to stand still bu brushing and massaging him.Just focus on one thing at a time.

You know the old saying Rome wasn’t built in a day? Apply that to your goals with your horse and your horsey time. Enjoy the time you have with your horse.

The Power of Positive Thinking

If you take a few minutes every day and practice these three tips I have just given you, I think you will find that it’s really fun to be positive. You will appreciate what you have more, you will be grateful for the time you do have with your horse, and you can just just be happy in the moment. And then that one moment can turn into two, then three, and so on!