Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are right
There were 60 of us, sitting in folding chairs in an arena, with horses and ponies running all over the place.  The first couple of people to do an exercise looked like it was very challenging.  There was one pretty gray arab mare that was frazzled.  She looked like she had ADHD and was just freaked out.

My turn came to do an exercise in front of the crowd.  I picked the frazzled gray mare as my partner, I thought we both needed each other.  The first assignment was to have the horse stand still, and for me to walk around the horse.  That horse was all over the place, and it was hard to even get two steps around her before she was off doing something else.  This was all at liberty of course.

The second exercise was to stand still and have the horse walk around us.  My gut reaction, "I CAN'T DO THIS!"  As soon as I had the thought, a feeling came over me, I can do this.  It was an overwhelming whisper, deep inside.  I went to the center of the arena and closed my eyes.  I pictured her going around me and I felt my heart connected to her heart.  I would glance up every once in a while, and there she was, calm, quiet, peaceful, walking around me.  I thought let's see what we can do.  I pictured her coming in closer and she did.  I pictured her going out further and she did.  I pictured her changing directions, and she did.  I pictured her trotting quietly with her head low and she did.

Our exercise was supposed to be 10 minutes, but for 30 minutes, we were there, in the center, connected heart to heart.  The audience was silent.  In their own thoughts of wonder.  The owner of the horse and the practitioners were in shock.

I finally just stopped, and she came to me and pressed her head into my chest, and we just breathed together.  In that moment, I knew for the rest of my life, when I had doubt, I would think of the pretty gray mare and know, "I CAN".

This was the most powerful moment I have ever had in my life.  It was a precious gift from God.

2 Comments

  1. What a beautiful, heart warming story. Thank you for sharing.
  2. Colette Polignone  03/29/2023 09:38 PM Central
    Wow! You truly are the horse whisperer!!

    That is an incredible story!

    I can see why you choose to remember that story often

    Thank you for sharing! You have inspired me! I have moments like that in my life too. I’m going to write about them now…

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Hey there! I’m Elise Hittinger—Fear Slayer, Confidence Creator, and your go-to Courage Coach.

 
Once upon a time, I was that fearless kid riding deep into Angeles National Forest without a second thought. Then bam—life threw me a plot twist. A horse flipped on me, pinning me beneath it, and fear crept in like an uninvited guest who wouldn’t leave.

That moment tested everything. But here’s the wild part—I walked away with only bruises and a divine reminder that I wasn’t done yet. Fear may have stolen my joy for a while, but it did not get the final say.

Fast forward to a move to Kentucky, where the trails were calling my name. I had two choices: let fear keep the reins or take them back. Spoiler alert—I took them back. Now, I help other riders (and, honestly, anyone sick of fear running their life) do the same.

I make fear pack its little bags and GTFO. Whether it’s through hypnotherapy, NLP, or a little well-placed humor, I help people trade anxiety for confidence, doubt for courage, and overthinking for action.

So, if you’re ready to kick fear to the curb and rediscover the joy you deserve—I’m here for it. Let’s do this.

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