Magical Gifts and Goodies: Mesmerizing Harmony!

Photo by Dan Kirchner

Yesterday Onyx and I enjoyed a magical day playing together. He was my gift, my goodie and a gem to play with! Dan was putting our tack out on the rails, so we could easily tack up our horses. Onyx responded with his joyous call to my heart as I walked out to the barn!  Onyx's sweet call was asking if he could be picked by me to play with! Connection with a horse is huge! When they offer to connect, to play and to be chosen, it is a  magical gift to be treasured. 

Onyx has been with us for 3.5 years. I felt connected to him even though we were hundreds of miles apart. The story is too long for this moment in time, but we had some struggles once we were in the same physical space. I swear he thought I was a horse he could play with, not a human who he needed to be careful with! So, we started there. We started with learning how to play with a human, who connects like a horse! Yesterday, I took him up on his desire to play with me in the arena! It was an amazing experience, for us both! 

After I invited him into the arena to munch on the grass along the edges, I asked him to join me. He wasn't exactly ready, as there was one more patch of grass he just has to try. I listened, I heard and I waited. I asked again. He was ready to connect politely. Maybe because I was polite, too? We walked over to the tie rail. Dan joined us with his horse, Harvey! 

I brushed Onyx and saddled him even though ground driving was what we were going to do first! It's OK to dress him up for riding, even if I never ride! I even put my helmet on, which I usually only put on when I ride. I didn't know if I would be riding him. It all depended on our connection and feel!

Photo by Dan Kirchner

We started with ground driving, one of my favorite things to do. I started ground driving when I was very young. I had a lovely pony named Chiquita. I spent many magical hours with her, before I moved to the full-size horses. She taught me how to connect, how to communicate with my heart and how to listen deeply to a horse. She didn't care what we did together either. I could sit on her while she ate, I could hang out with her in the field. I ground drove her, rode her on trails or in the arena. We moved gracefully around trees, jumps and flower beds! We had a hill in the backyard that we climbed up. There was a birdbath at the bottom of that hill that we carefully moved around, because I didn't want to knock it over. It was a magical way to grow up! Onyx was as connected and confident as my childhood pony, Chiquita as we drove around the trees, the trailer and the barrels! He was willing and confident! 

All of a sudden, I felt the calling. "Ride! Let's Ride! I will take care of you!" I knew it to be true! I put the reins on the halter, as I had a new bit in his mouth. I threaded the snaps carefully though the ring on the bit and snapped them onto his rope halter. I could talk to both his mouth and his nose this way exactly like I had been while driving. I tightened his girth one notch on each side. I was confident and filled with gratitude as we walked to the mounting block. He set himself up to allow me to easily get on. He was inviting me, waiting for me, drawing me on. 

Photo by Dan Kirchner

Once on, I reached for my treat bag and offered him a treat, with gratitude in my heart. My confidence was intact, as was his. He waited for me to start the riding conversation. He didn't assume, judge or hurry off without me. He waited until I was ready. He waited until my heart was beating with his as one. He waited until I was connected with him at that moment, while on his back, instead of being several feet behind him. I too waited! I took that magical moment into my heart. I wasn't thinking about all of the things thought could go wrong or even the things that could have gone right. I simply was calm, peaceful and abundantly grateful!

When we walked off, the magical feeling walked off with us. We were one as we navigated the trees, the bridge, the logs and the barrels! It was a magical adventure. We experienced one moment at a time together, as we turned, backed up and weaved around the arena. I had not felt this much joy riding a horse in years. It was short, but it was the magic ride we both needed to experience together! It has taken time and support from my husband, dear friends and my coach to feel this magical harmony with Onyx! One magical step at a time! One magical experience after another! Becoming one heart, mind and soul starts with one tiny spark of connection. Follow the magic, follow the glitter, find the sparkle where harmony exists!

Photos by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Dream big, but enjoy the ride long before it becomes harmonious and magical! Speaking of magic. Last night the Magic Glass gave me this amazing image. I actually took 3 pictures as it was so mesmerizing! A magical gift, for our gifts and goodies story, today!  A calm mystically connected glittering horse to let me know that my team was also with us, as Onyx and I created a magical harmonious memory together! 

What magical dream does your heart want to accomplish?

Have you been grateful for the spark of that dream?

Do you hear your dream calling to you to take the next harmonious step?

Manifest a magical day!