I was at a point in my life where I lost hope in my dream. I did not get excited when I thought of my dream because there were so many reasons and things standing in my way of achieving it. I started to accept that it was never going to happen. I started saying, “It is what it is.” and did not think of it much. When I would see things that made me think of it, I would get an overwhelming sadness because it was such a missing piece of my heart and I felt it was never going to happen.
My dream started when I was a young 12 year old girl. I worked at a local barn and took lessons on a horse named Dobbins. That year, I started dreaming of owning my own horse. I wanted to own Dobbins! I thought it would come true the years following those lessons, but I was told “it was a phase” and “I would grow out of it”. A horse crazy girl does not grow out of needing to be around horses, but I was a kid and listened to the words that were told to me. I moved on to collage and continued to find ways to be around horses. I worked and rode at a local barn during most of my college years. I even made a dream board that I would have my own horse no later than age 35.
Then, I met my husband in Chemistry class, we got married and he took me around the world. I followed his Naval career and my dreams were put on hold. I had three amazing kids, we rescued two cats and a dog, we moved six times in ten years and that dream of owning my horse was so faint in the background of my life. It became a far off dream I would get lost in at times but then get sad because it felt so far away and at times unachievable. I cried so many times wanting this dream to be in my life. I never thought of taking action to make it happen though. I just thought it would come to me if it was meant to happen. I am so glad something changed in me to change that way of thinking. That way of thinking keeps you in the same place. It gets you nowhere.
It was the summer of 2014, I was 32 years old. Our family was complete and moving overseas was not on our radar anymore. I started to have hope again that I would have my own horse. I asked my husband if there was room in our budget for a horse and he said “no”. I had just started working out with the Beachbody programs and learned of the coaching opportunity. I got to focus on my own health but also got to help others stay accountable in their health while getting paid. I decided that was my way to owning my own horse and ran with it! I read personal development and had a supportive team which encouraged me into believing I could make this dream a reality. I saved up for two years to have money to buy and cover a year of boarding, vet and other expenses. It took time, there were struggles and doubt, but the passion and drive of seeing me get closer to my dream of owning my horse kept me pushing forward everyday.
Fast forward to fall of 2016, I was 34 years old and MY horse was traveling from Alabama to Virginia to be my FOREVER horse. I had so many fears (Would I be a good horse owner?, Did I know what I was doing?, Is this the right time in my life?) but the excitement pushed them away. I have now owned Balios for 3 years this November 9, 2019 and I still pinch myself that he is mine! I have continued to stay home as a mom (First Priority) but found part time jobs (Coaching, Teaching and Blogging) to help pay for his expenses and will continue to make it work to always have him be part of my life.
Please do not stop dreaming! Do not just say, “It is what it is.” and not try anymore. FIGHT for what you want in your life. FIGHT for what you believe in and know you need for your HAPPINESS! WE have one life to live, so go LIVE it! It isn’t going to be easy taking action but it is totally going to be WORTH it. I am proof. This horse brings me so much joy, he teaches me how to live in the moment, he gives me a place to go to destress when life gets HARD. He was my missing piece to pure happiness in this world. What is your missing piece? Write it down, look at it every day and go for it!
To stressing less and playing more,
Melissa 🙂
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