The PGE man is here, John, and he is working away to discover the problem with the gas connection.
I am with the learning of yesterday with the horses. We began with "ground school," where we back the horse up, and, then, direct the horse in circles at different speeds. I really just wanted to hug the horse, and she, Hallie, kept coming forward for a kiss. She knew what I wanted, and was happy to oblige. I understand how completely it is about my intention. The horse will do what I desire it to do. The horse wants to please me, and I need to know what I want, so that the horse can fulfill its part of the bargain. It is for me to direct. It is best for me to have a plan, such as wanting the horse to go five times in one direction, and, stop, and then, five times in the other. It is uncomfortable for the horse when I am unsure. The horse is there to mirror my desires.
The woman I worked with yesterday, Kathy, spoke of the place of neutrality. She has learned to hold that place at work, and then, raise her energy when it is required, but not unnecessarily or not in reaction to others. It is a wonderful practice, and I am with it this morning. I am also with the wonderful feeling of allowing my sit-bones to move with the horse, and direct the horse. It is hard to leave the stables, without a huge desire for a horse, even though the work and expense are clear. It is like having a child, something not undertaken without a great deal of awareness about the investment of money and time. On the other hand, ...... I think each one of us feels tempted. Hallie neighed at me from her stall when I left. Next to Hallie is Cupcake, who looks exactly as you would expect with a name like that. She is very friendly, but she is not part of the program. She has to stay in her stall, and watch.
Hallie's owner loves her dearly, as who could not, and has had her from the beginning. Hallie has known only kindness. It is hard not to be temped by a horse like Hallie. She is a gem, as are all the horses we work with there. Hallie, though, especially wants to please, and is an instant mirror of your desires and wants.
One man spoke of getting to saddle one of the horses, and coming early the next time to do it again, but this time he had been thinking about it, about all the steps. He wanted to do it "right." The horse backed away, not knowing the man who worked with him last week in that wonderful place of "unknowing" for which we "try" not to strive. The horses know when we are in our heads, and not our bodies. As Marion Rosen says, "The body doesn't lie." They want us in that confident place of the body, not that illusive trickster place of the mind. The man had to come into his body to work with the horse. Again, what a wonderful practice, and how lovely to have an instant mirror in these horses.
The NY Times has two great editorials today. One is on global warming, and how we need some direct leadership at this point, and not this namby-pamby puttering around about nothing. I am reminded of the horses. They want, need and are happy with direction. We, as the the people of this country will do what is needed, but, we need direction, motivation, and to feel that our leaders not only know what they are doing but care about it, that they are invested in the outcome of saving the planet, instead of thinking they are going to be lifted up into heaven when the time comes. I agree with the author, Katherine Ellison, that we need bigger solutions than just buying fluorescent lightbulbs. We need huge direction, as we had for the space program. Look at what we did there, when vision was more than a "thing," to be laughed at and ignored.
Also, there is an editorial on the new legislation on English being the only language for this country. The editorial ends with this paragraph. "This country has always come to regret official actions that exclude and alienate large populations of newcomers. It has never stood prouder than when it greeted them with openness and confidence, in the spirit behind the motto "E pluribus unum." Sorry — make that "Out of many, one.""
Super news!! Our heater is running, and we will have hot water in an hour. The meter and regulator had frozen up, so he replaced them. Next time, you pay your PGE bill think of a wonderful man, John, coming to your house on Saturday morning, and making everything wonderfully, warmly, right!! Savor this lovely Saturn Day!!