Gratitude creates it’s own attitude. It can give you a new perspective, a new focus. I am going to use this day as my opportunity to see those things.

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Today, a day late …. I am grateful that I have not succumbed to my usual winter dark moods. Despite my back issues, my spirit remains buoyant. It’s quite wonderful to actually enjoy these dark days. Instead of cursing at the lack of light and the cloudy skies, I see their innate resplendence. This entire winter, I have been amazed at the transcendent beauty of the air around me.

Yesterday, I renewed my AERC membership and added Vinnie to the roster. He is young yet, but if he gets enough conditioning next year, I may consider taking him in his first 25 mile ride in October. He will have reached the 48 month age eligibility in August. I won’t push him. but if he does turn out to be in shape and ready, we will plan for the Foothils ride on October 16th.

I also rejoined PNER (Pacific NW Endurance Rides). I am on the PNER email list and also PNERgaited list. I may get to the PNER convention too, so figured it was worth supporting my local organization. Lily and I plan to make it to one or two Limited Distance rides in the spring and summer.

Maybe my sunny disposition is due to the fun of planning for next year’s outings. My horse activities are shifting from the NW Expo and dressage schooling shows to trail riding and endurance rides. I hope to throw in some driving training for Vinnie and a parade as well. It is nice to settle into working with my two horses. I’ve had a few years of more horse numbers, different ones moving through my hands, thinking of all the possibilites of breeding, etc. It was maybe too many possibilities to consider. So it is nice to scale back and have more focus. And also to just think about doing what’s fun!

As the year draws to a close, I am thankful for all that has come before and all the opportunities that the future holds.

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Take a few minutes today to create your own Thankful Thursday.

How:

Sit back and consider what you have to be thankful for. Listing three to five things is nice, but one will do.

Post about gratitude on your blog. If you don’t have your own blog, go ahead and write about what you are thankful for in the comments here instead.

If you blog, please link back here or leave a comment.

Feel free to tag other bloggers, if you like to do that, but it’s not necessary. This is not a meme that obligates you to do anything, but look for gratitude. Oh, and link back, and comment, that’s all I ask.

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Visit these other blogs that often participate in Thankful Thursday:

Tired Dog Ranch

Enlightened Horsemanship Through Touch

Earth Dancer Spanish Mustangs

The Pony Expression

From the Horse’s Back

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