Doing things that make you uncomfortable is an important part of life. That is, if you want 
to keep growing. Personally, I try to shake things up several times a month for myself. Do something, anything, that I’d rather avoid, and once I’ve done it, I feel appeased - until the next challenge.
As a little girl, I fell off of my sister’s horse and broke my arm. Perhaps that’s when I developed a fear of these big huge creatures. My sis’ horses were spirited, and large, at nearly 17 hands (68 inches). Someone told me they could smell my fear through their large and flared nostrils. Does fear have an aroma?
Regardless of how they sensed my fear, they certainly knew it. I’d get chased across a field, bucked off when I tried to ride, and one of them even tried to kick and bite me. Me - a person who loves all creatures. It was puzzling, but something I learned to accept - horses and me are lousy company.
Last week while visiting my daughter in Denver, her boyfriend wanted us to see his horses. In fact, he wanted us to ride his horses. These horses too are full of spirit, and one especially, has a lot of attitude. When we opened the gate to the large and expansive open range, I could feel the adrenaline start to rise.
Eventually, I did agree to ride the calmer of the two horses, even convincing myself that it was no big deal. Certainly, after all these years, I must have conquered my fear of horses. However, it didn’t take long to realize that I haven’t resolved that fear at all. After about 30 feet of riding on horseback, I'd already had enough.
When the horse rushed ahead to keep up with the other one, in my mind, it sensed my fear and was trying to run away with me. Panic set in and I wanted off, immediately. At any rate, I did get talked into trying it again and agreed to ride double with my daughter’s friend. Still, that’s not really the same thing.
Did I face my fear? The jury is out on this one. I suppose you could say that trying to ride the horse was just as good as doing it, but I’m not convinced. The next time I go to Denver, I’m going to have to get “back in the saddle,” and try, try again. One of these days, I hope to conquer this nagging childhood fear of mine.
Until then, I’m going to do something soon that makes me downright uncomfortable. Complacency is quite limiting and that seems inexcusable. If we’re not shaking things up and stretching our limits, we’re not growing. In my opinion, that’s just downright unacceptable. Here’s to the next challenge - yours and mine.
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!
Debb - You did great just climbing on the horse. Some things require baby steps. As long as we move forward we're headed in the right directions in conquering our fears.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Jul 09, 2012 11:06 PM
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.
Sounds to me like you faced your fear but just haven't conquered it yet. It will happen as you have a positive attitude to try, try again!
Jul 10, 2012 01:07 AM
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate
Hi Debb - It's great that you're willing to confront your fears and try to overcome them. A lot of what goes on when we do things like that is beyond our conscious control, but we can lessen those fear responses with persistence. Mine's heights, and I'm still working on it.
Jul 10, 2012 03:02 AM
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You
Hi Q-man. I guess, but honestly I was pretty disappointed that I didn't ride around and enjoy the adventure. Next time. ;)
Shannon, that's a positive way to look at it, and I guess you're correct. Yep, try, try again.
Dick, the ground looks a long way down from the top of horse. Lol. Thanks for the support and one of these days, I'll be riding a galloping horse and you'll be walking across a tall bridge. Right?
Jul 10, 2012 03:56 AM
Los Altos, CA
There's an interesting graphic that shows "Your comfort zone" as a circle and a smaller circle outside of that that says "Where exciting things happen". The message is "Things happen when we're outside our comfort zone. It's hard to do but our fears are our limitations if we let them rule our lives.
Jul 10, 2012 04:58 AM
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA
Debb: Just climbing up the first time when you already had fear gets you an A+ in my book.
Jul 10, 2012 05:45 AM
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy
Debb,
First of all, I think it is wonderful that you got on the horse in the first place and were willing to do it in the first place. So that is a huge accomplishment, and don't let your or anyone else say anything different. We all have gradients that we learn with or handle challenges with. What works for one person does not work for another...that is why I HATE, the whole concept of COMPARE & CONTRAST, which some of my profs in grad school were enamored with when it came to writing papers about authors.
Complacency is when you think you have it all figured out and are unwilling to do anything about anything, even those things one needs to learn, for me, it is the ride on the conveyor belt to the open coffin or my preference the incinerator. I have not been on a horse not because of fear. The opportunity has not come up yet, and I do love those creatures. When we were in Costa Rica, our clients has a collection of Spanish show horses, and we watched a horse with her colt as they pranced around in their special way (to that breed). There was so much love between them, both Ron and I were moved to tears. So next time we visit our clients, I am going to try on of those Spanish horses.
One more thing horses have a natural fear of anyone riding them, because in the wild that is how predators pounce on them--on their back. Given your developed senses you may be picking that up and reinforcing it with yours, and that is the way I see it...A
Jul 10, 2012 06:35 AM
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730
Debb, What would life be without some risks? Definitely not very interesting and we would become very complacent.
Jul 10, 2012 07:00 AM
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You
Bryan, exactly and that why I feel the need to make myself uncomfortable from time to time. Actually, quite often it seems. Lol.
Jul 10, 2012 08:39 AM
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You
Anita, I'll take an A from you any day and feel quite proud to have earned it.
Alexandra, I so love your soul and insight. As you can tell, this is really bugging me - perhaps, you are right, I feel the fear from the horse and reflect it back - what an interesing and unusual perspective. I am going to think about your comments a lot...
Jul 10, 2012 08:47 AM
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA
I commend you for trying. And I know that you will try again the next opportunity you get.
Jul 10, 2012 09:15 AM
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson
Debb~ I think that if you want to master the fear then give it a try. I don't think that anyone can say that you are a wimp. Nothing works for everyone, and you don't have to prove anything to anyone. If something doesn't feel right it, you can move on to another challenge. In riding horses the bond may just not be there. It does not make you any less strong a person for recognizing that and finding that next thing to challenge you.. and let you step out of the box again and again.
Jul 11, 2012 06:45 AM
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You
Debbie, my thoughts exactly. ;)
Hi there Chris Ann, how nice to see you. Yes, I am going to give it another whirl. It's my stubborn nature.
Jul 11, 2012 07:49 AM
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY
Debb, I'm proud of you to conquer your fears, at least to attempt to. Little by little you will prove your strength, determination, and non-stop love of nature. Concentrate on how good you will feel when you achieve it, ten times greater than how proud you apprear in your words in this blog.
Jul 11, 2012 08:52 AM
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
Debb, you did a giant step forward on this fear, and you did it again. Was there a rule on how long you had to ride? I think you did a great job! Come to Denver again.... :-)
Jul 11, 2012 11:59 AM
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"
Debb One of the things I am most unconfortable abour is airplanes. The more I fly the more I agree to dislike it. I do understand your dilemma and wish you well in your quest
Jul 11, 2012 08:25 PM
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You
Janis - I appreciate your perspective on the matter. It really frustrates me that I can't just "get over it," and try to get into the excitement of riding such a magnificent animal. Perhaps, I need to ride a much more docile horse first and get my "Sea (Biscuit) legs, so to speak. Lol.
Jul 11, 2012 11:42 PM
Ambassador
2,293,947
2,293,947
Debb Janes
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You
Service Areas
Real Estate Resources
Recent Posts
ActiveRain Community
3 months ago
Real Estate Technology & Tools
about 1 year ago
ActiveRain Community
about 2 years ago
Debb Janes and Bernie Stea have been a real estate team for over a decade in Clark County, WA, where they specialize in ViewHomes™, family estates, multi-generational living, and homes with large lots or acreage.
Comments(17)