Follow Your Bliss

August 18, 2010 by Taylor Studios in Professional & Industry Tips

A friend of mine is in the process of writing a book about the love of horses. She asked me to answer the question “What do I love most about horses?” I have thought about it for several days and have concluded it is not one thing. I will lean on poets to help capture my emotions when I think about horses.

When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. ~William Shakespeare, Henry V

Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,

Friendship without envy,

Or beauty without vanity?

Here, where grace is served with muscle

And strength by gentleness confined

He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.

There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.

There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.

~Ronald Duncan, “The Horse,” 1954

Being with horses is always an emotional experience. My love is deep. Even looking upon them can bring tears of joy to my eyes. I have been around horses my whole life, yet they still amaze me every day. I often wonder why this 1,200 pound animal allows our friendship. Why do they do the things that I ask, like get into a trailer?

I love how they feel, how they smell, how they move, how they frolic, how one is an athlete and the next is a dork, how they get in trouble and how they teach me. I love the feel of the wind through my hair when we run. It’s a powerful relationship and I am fortunate to have found this love.

I believe the love for horses has brought passion and success to the rest of my life. To be with horses for a lifetime includes many sacrifices and some heartache. It can be a challenge. I think it has lead me to embrace other challenges with gusto and appreciation. If overcoming that challenge brings such rewards imagine the return when you tackle your bliss elsewhere.

My advice is to find your bliss and follow it with gusto. Life is good. Grab it by the saddle horn!

What is your bliss?