I travel to experience new things, meet new people and offer a glimpse of the world that might not be easily viewed for others. My life’s work is a labor of love, but from time to time I forget about the simple pleasures and need a little ‘centering.’
I was speaking to a friend on the other side of the world a few days ago. He was on his way to the last horse race of the season; I was suffering a mild bout of insomnia and working at unthinkable hours of the night. My mind immediately went to the horses.
My love of horses started when I was in grade school. The music teacher at school (whose name I’ve sadly forgotten) raised horses and would invite some students to her stables a few times a week. We’d care for the horses and in return, we’d get riding lessons. Never one to spend too much time at home, I jumped on the opportunity (and also on the horse) and within moments I was in love with this animal. I only spent one year at those stables, but I never really gave up riding. Something about being on the horse centered me. I was high enough above my problems and fast enough to escape them, and yet somehow I felt incredibly safe.
Shannon
Last year while in Sedona for my birthday, I walked through the artist’s village and stopped into a Native American jewelry store. Staring at me from the glass case was a gorgeous horse necklace – turquoise on one side; tiger eye on the other. I went back and forth on the notion of buying it, until the store owner (a Native American with Mojave tribe ancestry), explained the symbolism of the horse to me. He wrote down the message on a piece of paper and I tucked inside the box that held the necklace (which I eventually bought). I forgot about his note until the other night.
“The horse is a symbol of the grounded power of the earth and the whispers of wisdom. It is revered as a helper, messenger, and harbinger of knowledge. It’s considered wild and an emblem of freedom, power, grace, beauty, nobility and strength.”
It makes sense that riding centers me. I feel in control and at the same time, totally powerless. It’s a freeing feeling and while the horse I’m riding might lead the way, I need to make a better effort to travel to my center more often.
