Remember your firsts? They are markers in your life.
Let me start by saying that this is a bittersweet post. I am losing someone precious to me that is a first.
But, to begin, let’s go back to those firsts.
The firsts in our lives are true MOMENTS. Remember your first car? Your first kiss? Your first pet? Recall how you felt the first time you got a special recognition for something?
These are all emotional moments in our lives that, when we look back set the tone for our character in the future. We may even judge ourselves by those firsts.
In real estate it might have been your first commission check, or your first JOB related to your degree. What it IS is that great stepping stone towards your life's purpose!
Think about how they shape you. The exhilaration, the pure joy that these firsts bring can completely change our lives if we let them. They are often celebrated by the people who love us. They may even be celebrated on a national basis. Regardless, they make such a difference that I want you to reflect and take time to stop and feel how they have moved you forward in your life and put you where you are now.
My latest first is something that I have wanted since childhood. Horses became very special to me early on. I was probably in elementary school when I came to love them. I was around horses, but never had one as my own.
Until I became fifty. I saw a really old horse at a nearby farm, the oldest I’d ever heard of, who was about 45 years old, named Misty. She was skin and bones, with a mane that was so tired that it barely covered her scrawny neck. And yet, Misty was holding on, giving a sense of love to anyone who paid the least bit of attention to her. Because of her, I decided to take a big step and buy my first horse at the age of fifty! I contacted Misty’s owner where I would board one and embarked on finding my horse. I ended up (through divine intervention) with an absolute beauty, Summer, a palomino mare, both Arabian and Quarterhorse. Later I would discover how very lucky I was.
Summer turned out to be one of the most special horses you could find. Her gentle spirit, her acceptance of everyone and her tolerance for whatever situation came her way, was truly remarkable. She loves people, kids, dogs, food…you name it. I got lucky. Where I have boarded her for the last several years is at a generational rambling farm, with honest-to-goodness good people who take great care of their animals and their community. My friend and horsewoman, Marianne told me this, "They don't come around very often, like Summer".
Summer has a condition that is congenital and there is nothing that can save her. So, my first horse will leave me this Thursday. I had about two years of being able to ride her and the last ride we took was the longest ride we had. I still treasure it and still question if I pushed her too far. It doesn’t matter. No one knew about her condition until she started to limp.
My point is, to EMBRACE those firsts, no matter how quickly they fade away. Treasure those markers in your life, because they mold your character and your growth.
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