Life is often full of roadblocks that can prevent us from achieving our goals, especially after an accident. Whether it's physical, mental, or emotional roadblocks, they can sometimes feel overwhelming and leave us feeling stuck, like we talked about in the last blog. But what if there was an easy way to overcome these obstacles? In this blog, we will explore a lighthearted and creative solution - using cartoons! Get ready to embark on a journey where colorful illustrations help you navigate through life's roadblocks with ease.
1. Visualize Your Roadblocks:
One of the first steps in overcoming roadblocks is to identify and acknowledge them. Creating a visual representation can help you better understand the hurdles you're facing. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects, consider translating your roadblocks into cartoons. By turning these challenges into quirky characters or silly situations, you'll be able to approach them with a fresh perspective. Think of Wile-E-Coyote and the Roadrunner! My favorite example.
2. Shift Your Perspective:
Cartoons often provide us with a unique lens through which we can view the world. They simplify complex situations and offer whimsical interpretations of reality. Use this idea to your advantage by applying it to your roadblocks. By adopting a cartoon-like perspective, you can begin to see challenges as temporary obstacles that can be overcome with creativity and resourcefulness.
3. Find Humor in the Situation:
Humor has an incredible ability to lighten our burdens and create a sense of joy. When faced with roadblocks, try injecting a healthy dose of humor into the situation. Imagine a witty cartoon character who finds humor in their challenges and uses it as a tool for growth. By embracing laughter, you can shift your mindset from frustration to resilience, making it easier to find solutions and move forward.
4. Break Down Your Roadblocks:
Complex roadblocks can often seem insurmountable and overwhelming. However, cartoons teach us that breaking down big challenges into smaller, manageable steps is the key to success. Just like a cartoon character navigating their way through a maze, tackle each individual hurdle one at a time. Stay focused on the achievable steps, and before you know it, you'll have conquered the seemingly impossible.
Life's roadblocks can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But by using cartoons as a solution, we can inject some playfulness and creativity that can transform how we perceive and overcome these challenges. Don't be afraid to turn your roadblocks into quirky characters and humorous situations. Remember, just as cartoons teach us, with the right attitude and a touch of creativity, even the toughest roadblocks can be overcome. Happy cartooning and happy roadblock removal in your journey towards success!
Note: The use of cartoons as a solution is meant to inspire creativity and a lighthearted approach to overcoming roadblocks. Always remember to approach real-life obstacles with a balanced mindset and seek appropriate guidance when needed.
If you enjoyed this and want to smash more roadblocks, (especially with your kids), Turn Your Family Around with Laughter, has ideas that will help!
After 60 seconds of terror, left me searching for how to find the 1000's of hours of joy in the saddle again, I knew I had to find how to regain confidence. This type of experience can leave you feeling unsure and scared to get back in the saddle, but with the right mindset and approach, it is possible to overcome these feelings. We all have different situations, but we share the love of feeling the horse moving under us as one. That joy can be brought back to life.
It takes a lot of courage to admit that you are struggling and seek advice on how to move forward. So, give yourself credit for recognizing the challenge and taking steps to overcome it. Starting the journey can be the hardest part.
One suggestion is to start slowly, one step at a time. This may mean spending time in a non-riding capacity, such as ground play. This can help you build trust and a positive relationship again.
The second suggestion would be to prepare to ride. Make sure you and the horse are ready to take those first steps together again. There is no timeframe, you and your horse get to pick when you are both ready.
The third suggestion would be to start small. Mine first ride was 4 steps. I can do anything for 4 steps. Pick something really easy.
Additionally, it may be helpful to have someone with you as you begin to ride again. There isn't anything wrong with having someone lead you. An amazing Grand Prix dressage trainer, Alicia Dickenson has someone lead her the first few times she hacks a new off the track horse for additional safety. If she can do it, we can all have permission to do it too!
It is important to remember that everyone's experience with trauma is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to approach the process of regaining confidence. Take things at your own pace, and don't push yourself too hard. With patience, support, and a positive attitude, it is possible to overcome this challenge.
Lastly, don't hesitate to reach out if you need any further support or guidance. Your safety and well-being should always come first. Remember that you are not alone in this, and there are people who are willing to help you every step of the way.
I am happy to help you put together a plan if you would like to schedule a 30-minute coaching to get you started. Just click here to get it on my calendar!
The hour ride in the ambulance, knowing I wasn't going to make it, was the longest hour ever. It was such a beautiful day, and having a horse get bit by a black widow and then flip over on me was just completely crazy. It was my first camping trip with horses and I had been so excited. I made so many mistakes and looking back at that, I can fix the mistakes that caused the accident. It was an accident that was 100% preventable.
This gives me confidence that I can prepare and not go through it again. But how? How to get back on the horse?
Here are my four must haves:
1. A pre-ride checklist, for me and for the horse. All the check boxes have to be YES before I proceed. If any one is not ok, I do what will fix it before proceeding. (You can get a copy of the checklists here if you would like to see mine!)
2. I must have all the safety equipment that helps me feel safe. I use a life jacket because it fits me great but probably isn't as good as a horse-riding vest. I always wear a helmet and boots. My tack is always checked to make sure it is in good working order.
3. I use CBD for the first rides back. It works to stop the shakes. I believe it isn't fair to the horse to have to carry my fear. I need to do something to alleviate the fear while I get my courage back and CBD works for me.
4. I have a PLAN. For me, it is to get on and take 4 steps. Stop and re-evaluate. I can do 4 steps. For me, it was important to not just get on and get back off. It was important to take those first steps. With everything else in place, the 4 steps worked out great!
If you would like help with any of the steps to getting back on the horse, I am happy to talk you through your first plan.
You can put some time on my calendar if that would be of interest to you! Put Your Plan TOGETHER!
To carry on with my thoughts from the other day, Fear to Courage FB Group Post!
It really got me thinking, how common are horse accidents? I did quite a bit of research and there are a lot of different ways to look at it. I like the study from OSU extension office. It was based on 1000 hours of participation in sports versus injury. I actually was a little shocked to see that riding was just ahead of cycling, swimming and golf, and behind everything else! Football was the worst, baseball and downhill skiing were more injuries than horseback riding.
Some of the things that I found really interesting in my research are that the oldest participants in most Olympics are the riders. This means that even at this level of competition, there is a lot of success as we age. When I was young, I had dreams of competing at the Olympics and I remember the Los Angeles games and my trainer got to be ring crew. I was so excited to watch the ground crew! I didn't have enough talent to get to that level of competition, but it sure did look amazing. I love that it is one of the few sports that men and women compete against each other, the horses are the equalizer.
So back to how common are horse accidents. More research showed that with the safety measures that are now in place, the MIPS helmets, vests, etc, the severity of the injuries has been reduced. This is great news. I know I love my MIPS helmet! It fits amazing. This is the one I have and love! Click here to check it out!
What about compared to other things, not sports related? It was a lot harder to find research, so I am just going with my experience. I have had 5 or 6 concussions. None of these were riding. One was horse related when I was picking out feet and stood up under the cross bar in the cross ties and knocked myself out and gave myself a concussion. I have not had any broken bones (knock on wood) but if I had, it would have been from a number of things not horse related. Skiing has been my biggest downfall. I had to have surgery on my knee and had my neck severely damaged from being hit by a snowmobile.
I am going to share more on my thoughts on how all of these ties into our fear and why horses cause us anxiety when the other stuff may or may not have the same impact. I still ski after my accidents. I still pick out feet after my accident (and even learned to trim). I still drive after my accidents that were not my fault.
This is a very interesting question, and I am sure there are a million answers. Just as with all life, the most critical fear is dying. In a lot of ways, they are blessed. They don't have to be afraid of losing their job, losing their money, IRS tax audit, or any of the other fears and stresses that humans put on themselves. They have one mission, to live through the day.
Their fears stem from anything that is new, that they need to figure out if it is going to kill them. I was standing near the horses one day in the pasture, when a plastic bag went blowing on the wind, all around them and under their legs. They didn't move. When I saw it coming, my fear level went up, and they all started to react, but when I saw this, I just completely relaxed, and they did too. They were not afraid of the bag. They were afraid that I might be afraid of the bag.
Horses survival depends on not being the horse that is most afraid, but they need to not be the slowest to react. The horse that is not in tune to the rest of the herd and danger vibes, will be the horse that doesn't make it, that is food for the predator.
Are they afraid of the predator? No. This shocked me. A friend of mine was working Africa and had the great opportunity to observe lions and the herds. The lions would walk right through the herds to the water and back and nobody would even raise their head. They were not afraid of the lions. Then, when the lioness would start to hunt, at the moment that the first herd animal felt that energy, the warning would go out, and they would all run.
They were not afraid of the predator; they were afraid of the energy of being hunted. This is useful information. We can be that calm leader, that doesn't jump at every little thing, and our horses will start to see us as leader and trust us to keep them safe. The more our energy is calm and aware, the more the horse can relax and let us lead. Wishy washy, anxiety, and fear are not the energies of a leader.
If you enjoyed this, I talk a little more about my journey out of fear and back to courage in my book, would love to have you check it out! Click here!
