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I've owned two horses in my life so far and if the Lord answers my prayers for another one, then a third horse will grace my life one of these days.  I sure hope so.

Years ago, when I was first learning to ride, I was spending time with my horse with the usual "I need to do next" stream of underlying thought and energy operating in the background of my mind, determining behind the scenes as it were, what was up next in my day. That way of always subconsciously thinking about what needed or had to get done outside of my time with my horse is not the way of going about life for horses.  They are completely in the moment and I needed to be, too.

Oh, I have learned the hard way through some very painful falls to the ground - with injuries that could have been prevented - if I had only realized how my underlying, almost subconscious time clock about "what I will need to do next" kept me from freely settling down and enjoying each moment withe my horse. Calmness needs freedom.  But I wasn't truly calm because I was not always free of this emotional dynamic that was affecting my horse's own emotional senses.  It impacted the mutual trust I wanted and needed with my horse in an unsettling and actually dangerous way.

Then the thought came to me quietly one day while grooming my horse that horses don't wear watches. What a funny thought to have! Of course they don't wear watches, (or carry cell phones), but as a metaphor for a better way for me to be when I was with him, it was perfect.

The concept to "not wear a watch" changed my way of being with my horse as it honors both horse and rider.  Through the years, hours of frustration when I am painting certain paintings have shown me that I need to apply that same principle when I go into my studio to work. If I am watching the clock from time to time when I paint, I might as well do something else because I can't do my best work when I am concerned about what else I need to do.  

Time constraints allow a subtle tension within me to build that keeps me from doing my best at what I am immediately doing. When I am subconsciously in a bit of a hurry to either achieve something, or thinking about what is next on my day, when I am in reality living by the clock, I genuinely miss out on experiencing the discovery, connection, and beauty that await me as I enjoy moments as they pass by and let them be what they are, both with horses and with my art. 

The Bible says "Be still and know that I am God".  Horses innately know this truth it seems to me. As prey animals they are calmly very aware of what is going on around them.  They have brought me to a deeper understanding of what being in the moment means. My understanding of the horses' nature as a prey animal has allowed me to appreciate the unique and very special sense of Godly stillness we are told to embrace.

Yes, we live in a crazy, so very rapidly changing world that bombards us minute by minute with too much information and so many distractions.  We are being trained by the tech/computer world we live in to develop an psychological/emotional arousal addiction that keeps us scrolling through Instagram and Facebook and never really slowing down, but waiting and ready for the next inviting image.  These platforms were knowingly designed this way.  It is hard to not look, right?  God help us.

I invite you to join me in "taking off your watch" if you wear one, and also on the inside of yourself.  Put y0ur phone down for awhile, and try not to bring it into your studio, when you go into stores or for a walk, and especially when you are with your horse if you have one, or when you are engaged in your special and unique gift of creativity.  Try to give up worrying about what you can't change or accomplish as soon as you would like. 

Find a place to let yourself be still, quietly resting for awhile in the wonder and peace of the world around you.  Picture horses grazing in a lovely green pasture if that helps.  Consider their nature as you imagine their timeless way of living as they roam, eat slowly, are alone within themselves yet together in their herd. Maybe that imagined picture will become a sort of 'studio of spiritual growth' for yourself in having no concern for how much time is passing, rather just being calm and comfortable with where you are and what you are doing.  The hours will show up in their own time. Remember, what is truly worthwhile rarely comes easily.

"My heart calls for you. Where are you my next, my third horse? Are you waiting for me, too?

When will the Lord bring you into my life? How patiently I wait for you to come into my life."

"Be still and know that I am God"

Psalm 46:10

"I will be still, and knowingly God, wait for his timing."

***

A young hawk is a new resident in my neighborhood.  He (or she) spends most of his time patiently waiting for his next meal to come into view.  I love watching him sit perched on a stump or post or tree limb or fence as he waits for his next meal to appear. Then, when the timing is right, he elegantly and swiftly flies to catch his prey.  Such beautiful wings guide him instinctively to his prey and then up to his next perch with the innate assurance that what he needs and is looking for will be provided by his Creator. 

Hawks don't wear watches either.  Like the horse and the hawk, I am learning to not ''wear a watch' in my head or my heart as I paint, and especially as I wait for God's timing that another beautiful horse will come grazing into my life, and keeping, and into my heart.

Blessings to you,

Diane