ONE WITH A HORSE

We went horse back riding yesterday in El Retiro, Colombia. It was a 45 minute van ride to get to where we were going from Medellin, it was well worth the trip. The area where we rode was green, verdant, peaceful and open. We even stopped during the trip to have lunch at a home of a chief who made Chicken Cordon Blue. The food was excellent.

It was interesting, even though I have ridden horses for years, I was always a little uncomfortable on a horse. However, this time I was not. I was not afraid to ride fast, although my horse, Roseta, did not want to gallop for a any length of time, I was comfortable going into and out of streams and I was not afraid to jump a downed tree. I felt one with the horse.

I used to be afraid of getting hurt: I always thought that I know what pain is really like and I do not want to feel it again. But now it seems that I am realizing that my life is short and that I should really enjoy the day, the horse, and my surroundings without fear. I now seem to be feeling like “hey what is there to lose?” What can be worse then the prognosis that I already have without any enjoyment attached. I still will not do stupid things, I will not put my life into jeopardy. But I will enjoy what life has to offer. I will not dwell on my condition, it will not define me and it will not stop me from doing those things that I enjoy while I am still on this earth.