How a horse gets directions
During the group’s first horseback ride JR began stopping in the middle of the trail with Jenny on his back. He would then just stand there. Literally doing nothing. At first, Jenny said, “Go?” but that didn’t do anything. JR continued to stand, staying as still as a statue. She tried another tactic, “JR, go where you want to go!” Again, nothing. But Jenny was used to following in everyone else’s footsteps so being the leader that JR was asking her to be was completely foreign to her. JR was waiting for HER direction, for Jenny to make the decision as to where they were going to go. Jenny had almost no option other than to make a decision and become the leader. And as soon as she decided what she wanted (where she wanted him to walk), he would move and they would get on with their ride, smoothly and beautifully that is, until she’d forget that she was the one in charge and he’d stop again, simply waiting for her to make the decision for the two of them. What an empowering moment for Jenny!
Through our time in Costa Rica, Jenny had many other firsts:
- She traveled and flew alone for the first time
- She rode a horse for the first time
- She rode a horse bareback for the first time
- She stood on the stadium seating during our rodeo and belted out some Backstreet Boys song (I do NOT know which one) while others rode their horses
- She swam in a non-chlorinated waterfall
- She did her first in-person animal reading (with two people no less!)
- She made decisions for herself and her horse and felt good about them
I could actually go on and on with these first – and I know I’ve very much simplified Jenny’s experience for the sake of writing here, but I really wanted to share the power of this story and this is the best that I could do!
Animals have something to teach us. Each animal has a lesson for each person – and when we become aware of this, we lock into an incredible opportunity to not only evolve our own souls, but also to feel and experience the unconditional love of animals (and help them live better lives too!). Yes, yes I know I keep talking about this (it is after all what my book Animal Lessons is all about), but I do believe that lessons from animals have the power to transform so many of us from feeling trapped within ourselves, to experiencing all that the world has to offer.
Love and Light,
Danielle
PS: Have your own Animal Lesson to share? Check out my Instagram contest here (just snap a pic of your pet to get going!) where you can win an autographed copy of my book, Animal Lessons or even a private reading with me!
Great story … and ‘Great Book’ Danielle… ! Well done Jenny … xx
How beautiful! Well done Jenny… so proud of her and JR sounds like a real soul rescuer!
Congratulations, Jenny! What wonderful experiences. Keep shining your gentle, beautiful light, the world needs you!
Yay!!! Jenny congratulations!!