Out of the darkness
I have been sitting back doing some thinking on what I wanted to write to all of you. Those of you who grace us with your presence, your time to read and follow the updates on the horses. Those of you who give of your hands on volunteering, to your donations, to your prayers. No matter whether near or far we appreciate you all.
Most people who know me in person see what I am like. I have a sense of humor at times that I would hope brings light to others hearts. I have learned that too much in life is sad, esp when I deal with the worst of the worst in animal cruelty. I see the pain, the agony, the despair of the walking wounded, some barely able to stand. I see the infliction of anger or neglect on the spirit of an animal. I try in my own way to share empathy in order to bond but to recover as in all facets of life we need JOY. We need something to lift the spirit up, to bring it out of the shadows of darkness and to walk it into the light of LOVE. Humor, to me can be that way. Humor can make us belly laugh till we have tears, we can joke and 'poke fun' as I call it to get people started opening up that part of themselves locked away afraid to come to the light of Love. Sometimes even a silly smile can break the ice to a walk down this path of healing.
Many times I catch myself esp when there is no one around turning up the radio in the barn to some silly little jingle and singing along, even dancing down the isle with a horse or some of them, head hanging out the stall feed gates, just watching me like I am some 'thing' they have never laid eyes on before. I have even caught one on occasion swinging his head to the tune while watching me dance like an idiot. Yes, I am very lacking in dance skills but the 'air' in the barn is light, it is condusive to healing, and it is full of JOY.
Many times I feel that there are those who try to turn off that light. That in some way unbeknownst to them they can ease in the darkness to take away the light of Love, the Joy... They want to stifle the things that I hold dear by trying to close me off in some way or some manner. I am who I am. I am true to self. How can I not be and not become like a robot directed by what others 'think' I should be? How do I find that incredible balance that it takes to be adjusting for the situation yet remain strong in my beliefs?
I like to hear others thoughts on healing the spirit. I do so much of it here with these animals. To watch the changes that take place when they come in so afraid to eat, like they have been told time and time again--NO you are not allowed this or you dont deserve this that it has become a part of who they are. To see them once they accept that what I give to them freely they are allowed to have its enough to bring a human to their knees. I watch the look on their faces as they look to the feed bowl, look to me, look to the feed bowl then back at me again. Most times its not until I tell them, "yes, that is yours and you can have it" that they devour it and their faces are buried into it like nothing I have ever seen. To hear the noises on the other end of the barn as they slurp the sides of the feeder. Its incredible. Its something that makes me wonder about how the human that did that would feel if they were on the receiving end of such treatment. Why do they treat this animal as such? How can they act with no emotion or care about the situation. It has come to me that most of those are so disconnected from human emotion that how could they feel? Perhaps all they feel is anger.
I do know that one of my greatest joys is watching these horses change in so many ways. To see how they can bloom like a seedling planted and watered...
Would you water a seedling if you had the chance? Would you give of yourself unconditionally? Would you find the light of Love to share with others?
RT
We have one who watches me approach with her feed bucket and as she gives a faint nicker, her nose is wrinkled. She looks like she is asking "Is there some for me?" When I see a horse who was once starving eat and look up like Oliver Twist "May I have some more please?", it breaks my heart. Of course they get more but at a later time. They show their appreciation continuously.
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Hey Maggie!! how's Tessa?
could you please drop me a note? clmrunner@aol.com. sorry to say I didn't save your email addy Hope all is well with you all
Cheryl from CO
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You keep on being true to yourself. It is that person who I would trust Moon's life with. And your horses already know it.
Hugs
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RT,
Don't ever change! We all respect your honesty, we are in awe of your ability to bring the light of life & happiness into each horse's face. We can see it in the pictures. We can see their healing. We can see how they become whole again when given the opportunity to be what they were meant to be. Healthy, well fed, safe & nodding their heads in time to the music!
We adopted a dog through the Humane Society in April. He was so fearful. Afraid to eat. Afraid to let us touch him. It's only the past couple of weeks that he actually comes up to me when I get home from work for a pat on the head. The hard lines around his face are softening. He knows he has his own food, his own water, his own bed & a Mommy to snuggle up with if there is thunder & lightening.
I am at a loss as to why anyone would have issues with you & what you say. Has our world become so phony some can't tolerate open honesty? There has never been a time when I've taken exception to anything you have said. Just be who you are. You will find people of a similar mindset will be there, right beside you.
"To thine own self be true."
Kathy
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