Category: Blogs

Turning the other cheek versus being a doormat – Is there a difference?

IMG_5062We’ve all been there. Someone makes a nasty remark that was uncalled for, and you’re faced with the decision of either snapping back and putting that person in their place, or silently enduring a figurative slap in the face.

A while back I was caught in this situation. I unknowingly did something that upset someone, and rather than communicating this to me so we could work it out, they made a nasty comment that blatantly questioned my competence. Ouch! But instead of standing up for myself, I remained silent and let the comment pass. I stewed over the sting of it for several days afterward.

I will admit, I’m not very good with sharp comebacks when it comes to standing up for myself. I wouldn’t say that I’m anybody’s doormat and I allow people to stomp all over me. I just don’t have it in me to be mean, and that sometimes translates to letting people get away with unacceptable rudeness that should have been corrected.

So here’s my question: is there a way to turn the other cheek and be the bigger person while still standing up for yourself? Continue reading →

Saddle Club, rapping and ribbons

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IMG_4773You haven’t had the true college sports team experience until you’ve crammed a herd of horse girls (and the sole guy on our team) into two giant vans and embarked on a five hour drive across the state. Sleeping on each others shoulders, taking pictures that will appear on the end-of-season slide show of team members snoozing with their mouths open (a practice one of our captains calls fly catching) – now that’s team bonding at its finest.

Last Friday the NDSU hunt seat equestrian team drove across Minnesota for our season opener, a show at University of Wisconsin River Falls. We call ourselves equestriennes, but after this weekend I’ve begun to think that word is a little overrated. Because lets be real here – we’re all still little girls at heart who love ponies. I found that out on Saturday as I sat on the bleachers with my teammates and awaited my turn to ride. I have no idea how the subject arose, but somehow I mentioned the Saddle Club in conversation – you know, those books made into a television show about BFFs Stevie, Lisa and Carol and their adventures at Pine Hollow stable? Continue reading →

In pursuit of nothing… and doing it well

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The moon shines bright above our dock

We’ve all had those days, when life trips you up and kicks you over and over again when you’re down. I just survived a “life-tripping-me-up” kind of week.

I watch World News Tonight with David Muir (my favorite TV show) every night, and it never fails to humble me. No matter how bad I think I’ve got it, someone else has it worse. Nevertheless, it was still a rough week.

Last Monday I took an exam and turned in the first component of a semester-long research paper, feeling pretty confident that I would do well on both. On Wednesday I found out that I hadn’t, and learned that I would have to pick a new topic and start over on my paper because it wasn’t what the professor was looking for. That threw me into a tail spin. I loved my topic, and all that work…

Thursday was nothing special, just another day. I went to practice for the riding team that evening feeling enthused about the upcoming jumping lesson. I must have been too focused to realize I was getting sick throughout the hour-long lesson, but when I dismounted I started feeling nauseous. Long story short, I puked all over my car on the drive home. Continue reading →

Mornings

At 5 a.m. the alarm on my phone rattled me awake with its little jingle, a not-so-gentle reminder that it’s time to get up soon.

A few minutes later a second alarm would go off, again reminding me that I should probably get up.

The third alarm says ‘come on, up and at-em!’

My actual alarm clock resounded at 5:30, the fourth and final alarm screaming country music at me from across the bedroom and demanding that I get out of bed RIGHT NOW.

And I’m up, tripping over programs, past performances and mountains of clothing that have found a home on my bedroom floor as I stumble over to turn down the music.

Throw on a pair of jeans, hair in a pony tail, tucked underneath a baseball cap. Stuff my recorder in my front pocket, press pass around my neck, pen crammed into a back pocket along with folded up past performances. Continue reading →

They’re Baaaaaack!!!!!

What does my riding helmet, equestrian team tryouts and rodents have to do with one another?….

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And so that I never forget the traumatic experience, they generously left their mark on my helmet.

Anyone who knows me well is aware of my aversion to mice. I can appreciate that they’re one of God’s creatures and they provide food for other animals, but aside from that I think they’re dreadful little critters. There’s just something about their beady little black eyeballs and wormy tail – Just… ew.

So while other folks are rejoicing in the coming of fall so they can wear Ugg boots and drink pumpkin spice lattes and look at the pretty leaves, I’m completely dreading it. Because when the air turns chilly and the leaves begin to fall, rodents like to find warm and cozy places to make their home.

My family lives out in the country and our house in nestled in the woods along the Red River. Said rodents seem to think that our cars are miniature kingdoms for them to rule, so they simply migrate from the woods right into our vehicles, chewing whatever they please and stashing their nuts and mousey belongings in every nook and cranny. Continue reading →

Of Dogs and Turtles

Kindness can be given back in the simplest of manners.

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Our dog Bosco and I chilling on the 4th of July.

A few days ago my mother sent me the link to an article about two young men traveling the country in an effort to promote random acts of kindness. These include anything from buying people ice cream to paying for their laundry at a laundromat.

I love hearing stories like this, because I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of a random act of kindness.

I went through a stressful period at the beginning of my freshman year of college. I was trying to find a balance between my classes and all the activities I had going on outside of school. As a dedicated student, the stress of trying to give everything my best was beginning to wear on me. On my way home one night, I stopped at a gas station to fill up my tank. When I went inside to pay, the girl at the checkout informed me that the man in front of me had already paid for my gas. I got into my car and cried. It was such a generous and thoughtful gesture, especially since the man was there with what appeared to be a van filled with his family.

Over the past week, I have encountered myself in two interesting situations involving animals in need of help. I wouldn’t necessarily call these random acts of kindness, but rather circumstantial acts, more-so.

Several years back on our way to the lakes, my mom and I passed by a turtle in the middle of the road. We turned around to grab him and put the poor little guy in the ditch, only to watch him get squished by another car, right before our eyes.

Ever since then I have had a turtle paranoia. I hate seeing animals dead on the roadsides, so I find myself constantly scanning for turtles on our way to the lakes. Continue reading →

Country Road Courtesy

It’s important to be respectful of equestrians along the roadway for everyone’s safety.

IMG_3041When I lived in Texas, one of the things I missed the most about home was the peace and quiet of the country. I wasn’t used to hearing cars driving past my window late at night or sirens blaring across town.

At home, I can sleep with my windows wide open and listen to the tranquil sounds of crickets chirping, frogs croaking and the distant call of coyotes.

The country also makes for a peaceful atmosphere to ride my horses. The gravel road that runs by our house sees maybe 20 cars in an entire day. My favorite time to head out and ride is right away in the morning when the air is cool and the grass is still damp from dew. There’s one driver in particular who passes me nearly every morning. I figure he’s on his way to work, but he always slows down and waves.

I’m thankful for drivers like this who are respectful of sharing the roadway with equestrians. Unfortunately, I can’t give this credit to every driver who passes me. I have two main points of contention with gravel road drivers. Continue reading →