Resolutions and A New Journey! January 2, 2017

​Welcome to the very first Mindful Riding Blog post! For way too long now, I have wanted to start a blog and I've always been held back for one reason or another but for 2017 I have decided to just go for it! For much of 2016, ideas for my Mindful Riding program have been floating around in my head. My website has been under construction for most of that time and I can't even tell you how many notebooks and journals I have filled with ideas, stories and components that I want to include in this program. As with most perfectionists, I tend to not move forward with something until I feel that it is 100% under control... the website absolutely perfect, every word checked and double checked that it is the ideal word to convey the message I am trying to share. Again, as with most perfectionists, I can be very critical on myself if I feel that I don't meet my (sometimes unrealistic) standards. Unfortunately this is how so many good things don't come to fruition so for 2017 one of my resolutions is to make Mindful Riding a reality!

Over the last two years, I have been working to better myself while on a path of personal development and spirituality. What does that mean, you say? Probably the most important part has been starting a meditation practice which, for the most part, I keep regularly although sometimes finding even ten minutes of quiet, alone time with a very active toddler and a busy horse business can be challenging! I have begun a mindfulness practice as well and being able to bring myself back to the present moment has been a game changer in the way I see problems and stress. 

I believe that in the journey to become the person we want to be...the person filled with love, warmth, compassion, empathy and kindness, the first step is to make ourselves open. We must make a conscious decision that we will make ourselves open to the process of change. The first step in mindfulness it to be conscious of our awareness. Sometimes the path of change can be scary and many people go through life on autopilot because they are so afraid of the unknown. Delving into one's own mind can be a daunting endeavor and sometimes it can bring up past pain and hurt but the goal through mindfulness practice is to be aware of what comes up, and sit with it in non judgement. This is how healing begins. Changing limiting beliefs can be very difficult but if you make the decision today for 2017 that you are going to be the best you that you can be, you will be amazed at how much your life can change for the better! 

I hope with this blog that I can perhaps, open some new paths of self discovery for you and for myself as well. Publishing this blog will be a opportunity for me to face fear and vulnerability, things that, like most people I find very uncomfortable. This is how we grow - put yourself out there! Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you share your creativity with the world, otherwise it may never happen. 

So, I encourage you all to think about your resolutions for 2017. I always liked the word resolution...a noun typically meaning "a firm decision to do or not do something". There is also a definition of the word as it relates to music, "resolution is the move of a note or chord from dissonance (an unstable sound) to a consonance (a more final or stable sounding one)." I like this definition so as we use our resolutions to come more into harmony and balance in our lives, we can liken it to creating beautiful music. So, let's make beautiful music in 2017!

Life is an incredible journey and I encourage you all to live it! 
Love, 
Jenna