Thursday, December 31, 2009

On Riding On

There's something to be said for appreciating the way life is,
rather than the way you meant for it to be.
___________________

I owe you all an apology for my long absence. All I can say is that I must have needed a break. I didn't intend to take such a long one, but that's what happened. 2009 has been a long ride for me, both personally and professionally. The trail got steeper after I wrote this post, but I stick by what I said: Without the hard times, we wouldn't know what triumph really is.

Yes, it's been a long year. I didn't accomplish most of the goals I set out at the beginning. My equestrian goals suffered most of all, due partly to injury and partly to emotional distraction. Over the past few months, I've rested from horsemanship as much as blogging. I've done almost no training or riding. I've fed and watered the horses, watched them from my window, petted their fuzzy shoulders and simply let them be. And let myself be. Quiet. Undriven.

Slowly, softly, desire has crept back in. I almost want to ride again. I almost wish the snow and ice would vanish from the round corral, freeing me to train baby Inara, to start Ripple Effect under saddle, to progress with Acey and ramp up Consolation's fitness again.

Because 2010 is here. I am entering it stronger than ever before -- physically, mentally, emotionally. Life holds some interesting prospects. I promise I'll become less scarce soon, to let you know how it goes.

Happy New Year, my friends. Thanks for sticking around.
_________________________________________________________

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13 comments:

Lori Skoog said...

Tamara...I wondered where in the heck you were! The photo is exceptional.

May you have a happy and healthy new year. It sounds like you are ready.

...and the horses too.

stonewallsaddles said...

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

phaedra96 said...

It is a new year. New start. Leave the old baggage behind and begin again. Best wishes to you.

Jonna said...

Nice seeing you back Tamara...

The Equestrian Vagabond said...

Welcome back!

hope to see you here on the trails this year!

- The Equestrian Vagabond

Liz Goldsmith, EquineInk said...

Glad you're back!

Mena said...

I am so glad you are back from your healing hiatus! It is good to take a break from things that just add to the stressers in your life... I myself did a similar thing this year.

I must say I faithfully check your blog everyday for a new post, and today I almost fell out of my chair when there was a new post to read by my favorite blogger.

So good to have you back! Happy New Year.

Anonymous said...

wow.. sounds amazingly like my 2009 as well... may 2010 bring us into the light

happy trails
gp

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Taking a break is a good thing. We often need to heal, contemplate and refocus ourselves.
Have a blessed 2010

Michelle said...

So glad you're venturing back onto the scene - I've missed your posts so much and was hoping things were OK. Glad to hear that you were just unwinding. Hope you had a happy holiday season and a refreshing new year.

clairesgarden said...

you say you 'rested from horsemanship', I disagree, sometimes standing back and letting the horse be a horse and embracing doing nothing is the hardest part of horsemanship to do. breathe.
you pass with flying colours.

Anonymous said...

Amazing photo! Wonderful. Good to have you back!

Funder said...

How are you doing? Any riding so far this new year? I'm missing your posts!