I think there is this notion that opportunities are given to us and that there is nothing we can do to control these events that seem to happen by chance. So many times we spend our time making excuses for ourselves that we fail to see the opportunities right in front of our faces. I read a quote once from Thomas Edison, which reads:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
This is true, even in a barn environment. You want an opportunity? Work for it! Come to the barn. You are ten times more likely to find an “opportunity” at the barn than you are at home on the couch. This doesn’t mean you need to spend money to ride. Come out and help with pony parties, offer to clean tack, come out and watch your friend ride, or groom your favorite horse. Offer your help without expectation of something in return.
One Saturday, a few weeks ago I was working my morning shift. One rider rode SIX TIMES in just one day. And I am sure the haters will begin to hate and complain and make excuses. They always do. But what a lot of people don’t know is that rider tacked up, bathed, and cared for all of those horses except the one or two she was scheduled to ride. She didn’t expect anyone else to do it for her. She didn’t make excuses as to why she couldn’t. SHE made the opportunity for herself. I am not saying that we all can ride six times in one day (wouldn’t we all love to?), but we need to understand that opportunities come from hard work, instead of by chance.
Another rider “caught” a ride on a really cool horse last year, and ended up winning the class after only riding the horse for (I think) a total of fifteen minutes. Again, it is easy to say something along the lines of “well if I had ____ horse I would win too”, but the truth of the matter is that this rider worked hard to be one of the best in the barn, and she makes it look pretty effortless. She didn’t “accidentally” win the class.
So, stop making excuses for yourself. These are just barriers between you and your dreams. Come out to the barn, volunteer, work hard, and improve your own mind and body.
So put on those overalls and make opportunities for yourself
...and you will succeed.
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