Lola wants to get better

26/05/2025

Morning Mantra: “Be what you loved about those that are gone.”

My father was a WWII veteran. His birthday was a few days ago- he would have turned 100. When I think about him I get sad so I try to focus on everything that I love about him instead of how much I miss him.

On Memorial Day we honor those that are gone. Those that served our country well. It’s also a great day to honor those in your life that are gone. Honor them by living your best life exhibiting their finest qualities.

My Dad was VERY family oriented- everything revolved around his wife and kids. Even as adults we gathered frequently to celebrate our love for one another. I try to live the same. I try to show up for my kids, to be there when they need me, and to show my grandkids and siblings how much I care.

My father loved parties. He loved the music, the food and the fun. Since the age of 26, I have been the party-thrower in my family. It is a lot of work, but to sit back and watch the shared joy is worth it. Next month I am hosting a big party in honor of my father’s 100th birthday. I know he’ll be there- he wouldn’t miss it.

So on this Memorial Day, take a moment to recognize the things you loved about those you miss. Make a point to live in their honor. To be those things, even if it’s out of your comfort zone.

05/05/2025

What if listening was the most important thing we ever learned?

Because of the horse, we discover that silence isn’t empty—it’s full of subtle cues, soft questions, and honest answers. The quieter we become, the more we notice, and the more the horse is willing to share.

☆ Stillness makes space for the horse’s truth
☆ Listening builds connection without effort
☆ Quiet presence invites the deepest trust

At the Online Horse Fair, you’ll meet horsemen and women who believe that true horsemanship begins when we stop speaking and start listening.

🎟️ Come walk this path with us at the Online Horse Fair
➡ https://www.becauseofthehorse.net/free-ticket

18/04/2025

Morning Mantra: "You are not defined by your past experiences, you are prepared by them."

Your history does not determine whether or not you have the ability to become a decent human being. In fact, it can spur you on to break the cycle.

You can grow up in chaos and become someone who creates peace.
You can grow up being hurt and become someone who looks tenderly after the wounds of others.
You can grow up being taught to turn bitter from all of the wretched things they did to you and become someone who learns to forgive and move onward and upward and forward.
You can grow up around anger and become a gentle spirit.
You can grow up surrounded by artificial love and come to know how to recognize real love.
Growing up in dysfunction doesn't mean you will become dysfunctional. Actually it can have the reverse effect. You have become who you are today because you choose your future over your past. Because you dug through rather than walked around and became the very thing that was absent in your life.

This is from a poem called "Through" by Ullie-Kaye

01/04/2025

Morning Mantra: “Who you include into the circle of your life will make the difference in the quality of your life.”

You’ve come far enough to know that your energy is precious, and those that appreciate it are keepers, and those that drain you are most definitely not. So it's important that you are picky about who you let into your circle.

Keep your circle filled with positive minded people who only come to grow with you, not to take advantage of you. Set boundaries with those that make you feel used, unappreciated, misunderstood or hurt.

Just do you and do it well. It doesn’t matter if other people get it or not, it’s not about them. The ones in your circle will get it.

23/03/2025

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

17/03/2025

Morning Mantra: “The more you do, the more you fail. The more you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn, the better you get.”

I’d rather fail over and over trying to do what I love, than settle. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes, they are part of the human experience. Just acknowledge them, take responsibility for them, and learn from them. Then try again.

What is the point of being alive if you don’t even TRY to live the life you dream of? What is holding you back?
Fear?
Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid of not even trying.
Success isn't overnight. Keep trying and every day you'll get a little better and a little closer than before.
It will add up.
Remember- the only time you run out of chances is when you give up.


Quote: John C. Maxwell

03/03/2025

It’s so awful what’s happening in the world !

Morning Mantra: “Life can be cruel, so I will be kind.”

Our world is in turmoil, and this can trigger some different reactions from people. Some will be afraid and pull away. Others might get angry and lose their tempers. Some may become more opinionated, and others will be sad.

Whatever behavior you encounter, remember that people react to what’s happening around them from a place that has nothing to do with you. So be kind. You don’t know what is motivating their behavior. They could have just lost their job. They could have just found out they have cancer. They could have so much fear inside that they are riddled with paralyzing anxiety. You just don’t know, so be kind.

This is not to say you should tolerate abusive language or behavior, of course not, just remove yourself and show them grace. Anyone who expresses anger at another person is hurting inside and hasn’t figured out how to regulate their emotions from the pain. They need compassion not retaliation.

If the worldly chaos is affecting you, go where there is kindness. Seek out those that offer peace, comfort, guidance and love. The world is full of kind people.

Instead of condemning people let’s try to understand them. Instead of judging, let’s be kind. We are ALL fighting battles, whether in our minds, body or hearts, show others the compassion you hope to receive. Kindness can change everything.

22/02/2025

Morning Mantra: “You either win or you learn.”

My Dad used to say this to me when I went to horse shows when I was young. And now I’m using it with my 9 year old grand son as I teach him backgammon.

No, I don’t always ”let” him win and as any typical 9 year old, he hates to lose. He makes excuses as to why he lost rather than take the lesson from the loss. It’s not hard to show him why he lost though and explain these as lessons of losing. So he then feels like he won something.

That’s what learning is, after all; not whether you lose, but how you lose, and how you change because of it. What you take away from it that you never knew before, and how to apply that new knowledge to the next situation.

Some people never try, they’re so afraid of losing. But when you switch your mindset to that you’re either winning or learning how to do it better, it takes the fear of losing away because you are always gaining something.

20/02/2025

100%

19/02/2025

A Poem ~ Not Worthless

I cannot be ridden because of my health issues,
I am well looked after, don't cry and no need for tissues.
Cry for the non ridden equines that are dumped to die,
Too many are born unwanted with no home it's no lie.
Some are so poorly, skinny, wormy and have lice,
Their bodies show the bad and ugly humanity price.
They stand in deep mud, nothing to eat and cold,
Not knowing the kindness of love I am told.
Then there are the old, broken and lame,
Then the born wild and not easy to tame.
Humans discard the ones that cannot jump or run,
Move on the problem to replace with another for fun.
Quick fixes, throw away attitude they don't see our soul,
Some equines have to work to earn their feed bowl.
Once no longer of worth moved on with truth hidden,
Only for the new owner to discover we shouldn't be ridden.
Who steps up to pick up the responsibility and dreams broken,
Who will be our voice and be shot down when outspoken.
Thousands have joined our group with stories to share,
Their equines are lucky, but the wider world is so unfair.
More must be done so the mainstream see non ridden gifts,
So the non ridden worthless or wasted horse label shifts.

Kez - The Non Ridden Cob ❤️
Image - Soft Pastel Portrait of my Eye by Vicki Jayne Yates

18/02/2025

We all need peace

Morning Mantra: “Every day brings a choice: to practice stress, or to practice peace.”

Stress is not what happens to us. It’s a response to what happens. And response is something we can choose. Of course, there are times when our situations deserve a stressed response but most of the time our stress is due to an over inflation of the importance of things.

Stress isn’t an inability to decide what’s important. So, everything feels like it is super important and must be dealt with NOW!

The greatest weapon against our stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. To recognize our reaction and to choose to think different thoughts, more peaceful thoughts. Thoughts more based in reality- the world isn’t going to end if you don’t get everything done.

Nothing good comes from stress and worry. It just makes things more unpleasant. It’s the same To Do list, just with anxiety attached. Try tackling it with different thoughts.

Your stressed thoughts create a physical reaction in your body so if you are feeling anxious just breathe. Yes, it's that simple.
Breathe and take one thing at a time.
Breathe and ask for help.
Breathe and try and remember that things have a way of working themselves out.


Quotes: Hans Selye, Joan Borysenko, Maureen Killoran

01/02/2025