Zach says all the time:
Believe in what you’re doing or do what you believe in.
This week when I picked up the book I’m reading, (The Power of Positive Thinking), I read this:
William James, the famous psychologist, said, “Our belief at the beginning of a doubtful undertaking is the one thing [now get that – is the one thing] that insures the successful outcome of your venture.”
To learn to believe is of primary importance. It is the basic factor of succeeding in any undertaking. When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a low of attraction tends to bring the best to you. But if you expect the worst, you release from your mind the power of repulsion which tends to force the best from you. It is amazing how a sustained expectation of the best sets in motion forces which cause the best to materialize.
In working to retrain my brain to think only positive, productive, good, example-setting thoughts, I find the above statement to be extremely well-timed. I caught myself this past weekend, threatening to whine about something, as we had trouble with our septic system, and decided that nothing productive would come from it for one, and for two, whining is a horrible example to set for those around you. It’s best to just smile and go on about your business.
When I was rodeoing in high school, I absolutely visualized myself being successful with each goat I tied, each calf I roped, or the set of barrels I would run. Somewhere along the road of life, I lost my ability to believe in myself and my abilities. I think an abusive first husband probably didn’t help. I think that belief in yourself further aids in your ability to “feel” your way through situations, which I know we’ve talked about before.
I think you can carry this further, to say that if you believe someone will treat you poorly, they will.
If you believe someone is a rotten person, they will be.
Our minds shape the outcome.
If you believe you cannot have a healthy, happy relationship with someone, you can’t.
If you think a relationship can’t be mended, or healed it can’t. Granted, it takes two to tango, not to be cliche, but at least on your end you can believe in the good and worth that an individual has, you can believe in the good you have seen in them in the past, and you can believe in the best for both of you. That way you’re not clouded with doubt about who you are, or who they are. You’ve pushed every negative thought from your mind, because you believe in yourself and you expect the best.
This can go even further: Treat people how you want them to be – not how they are, or how you think they are. If you treat a kid like he’s a bad kid, he’s probably going to be a bad kid. But if you treat him like the good kid you know he can be, chances are he’ll rise to the occasion.
In applying this to horses, it goes like this: treat the horse as you want him to be. You (hopefully) wouldn’t go hammer on a gentle colt just because he’ll tolerate it. You would (hopefully) treat him like you’d treat a bridle horse. If we do subtle things to begin with, and progress to doing as much as we need to get the change, eventually the subtlety will become the default position.
Zach is a master at only seeing the good in any given situation. That’s why he’s never bothered. Drama doesn’t follow him around, and folks from all walks of life are drawn to him for advice, support, and friendship. He’s the pillar in any storm because he believes.
Next time you’re filled with doubt, “throw your heart over the bar and your body will follow”. Trust in yourself. Trust in your ability. Trust in who you are to be the best.
I think it’s really that simple.
Happy Trails and Happy Friday!
What's on your mind?