12/29/2025
What a messy weather day today! ☃️ I’m so grateful that I was able to enjoy the snow with my boys before all this rain and ice, and I’m equally grateful to have my indoor arena attached to my barn for days like today when turnout is impossible.
When I put Waylon and Argo out initially, it went as I would have expected. Lots of running, jumping, bucking, and cavorting. It is always one of my favorite things to watch them play with each other, and it is often quite humbling (and slightly frightening! 🤣) to see what incredible acts of athleticism their bodies are capable of!
But then something really interesting happened. Once they settled down and the energy calmed, they just stood together and started listening to the rain and the occasional ice falling from the trees outside. And they stayed in that state of peaceful attention for over 5 minutes. Interested but not fixated, aware but not worried, curious but not tense. It was like watching a masterclass in stillness and presence. It is especially impressive to see Argo in that state, as I often joke that he has an attention disorder and that chronologically he may be 5, but mentally he’s about half that age. But here he was, mind and body as calm and consistent as I could ever want.
In all honesty, I missed the first half of this peaceful scene as my nose was buried in my phone, taking advantage of the down time to catch up on emails and messages. But the prolonged silence and stillness finally jolted me out of my internal overstimulation, and as I looked up and put away my phone, I was brought to that place of peaceful presence with them. And it was beautiful.
I’ve noticed more and more that I have a hard time being still for prolonged periods of time, and technology is all too available to fill up any moment of empty space. But in coming back to the reality right in front of me, two perfectly present beings harmoniously interacting with their own perceptions of reality, it really gave me a deep perspective on how I want to operate in the world, and in my own mind.
I want to be peaceful, to be present, to be productive and yet restful, equally appreciative of action and of stillness. I want to notice the little sounds and sights around me, and really be a part of the life that’s happening in front of me, not on some screen or alternate virtual reality. So as the new year comes, that will definitely be one of my resolutions - to be more peacefully present. And how lucky for me, that I have two of the best teachers right in front of me ♥️
