Living the....

Everywhere I look on social media there are posts that mention 'Dreams.'  'Living the Dream' 'Chasing the Dream' 'Follow Your Dreams.'  Am I the only one who's stomach turns lately at the abundancy of dream catchers?  A dream is nothing more then a split second in ones sleep that is usually forgotten before being awakened.  Or even worse, something short of a nightmare.

This week marks the 93rd Annual Red Bluff Round-Up and in the past it has been nothing short a nightmare for many, least of all myself.  For the locals, its one of the first big wide open pens of the season after running for months in small indoor pens.  The rodeo has been rained upon on many occasions causing the ground to be, well, literally underwater.  It can be deep one day and hard panned the next, leaving many making last minute decisions on game plans.  If you are a local and lucky enough to make it back to a performance, then you have the entire crowd rooting for their 'hometown gal.'  Either basque in the excitement or quiver at the thought.  Being mentally prepared for this rodeo has been a goal that I haven't as of yet accomplished but will never give up trying.

My Grandma used to tell me how much she would love to see me win the Red Bluff Round Up and I would sigh, probably roll my eyes, because inside I knew I didn't have what was needed, I knew I wasn't ready to win such a daunting tactful rodeo.  The past few years I ran Stella there left negative thoughts in my head of a flat, stiff, struggled turn.  Frustration and friction between my partner and I.  Excuses versus reasons pushed through my head hiding the truth, the real reasons as to why I have been unsuccessful.

I do not hang on to the same dream anymore.  I do not lay awake at night envisioning the glorious win, buckles, publicity, congratulations.  Instead, I lay awake smiling inside as I feel my body naturally making the proper moves, not just visualizing my run but feeling it.  I'm not dreaming of a win, I'm embedding 'Our Run' into my mental focus.  That run we have made so many times before.  The sweet spot of a turn, the fluid power around the barrel.  Oh man, oh yes, that run. I'm looking forward to that run this year.  Such a lucrative and prestigious rodeo is now what I call my hometown rodeo.  I want to show my hometown they have some one to be proud of and to have my Grandma smile down from the Heaven's above.

A dream is unattainable, not able to be grasped, and are merely seconds in our lives.  I would rather have goals.  You can reach a goal, achieve one, grow from one.  They are what can bring confidence to a rider and a horse, and can build a champion.