I woke up this morning to the sound of some much needed rain. Even though I may not be able to ride today, I am very thankful for the rain. We have had fire warnings the past few weeks, so a couple of rainy days is a very good thing.

As I drank my coffee this morning I scrolled through Twitter on my phone and, as I often do, I saw articles on recent shows. Seeing posts on who is winning what and all that is going on in the horse show world, I almost always get a twinge of jealousy. I have not had the opportunity to be competitive in a very long time. I can blame it on finances, owning a complicated horse, or many other things. But really, it just is what it is. Maybe I will have the opportunity to be really competitive once again, or maybe I won’t. I figure, I can whine about it and let jealousy take over every time I hear of someone else succeeding in the horse world or I can just work hard where I am right now and continue to move forward – however slowly. Because, the truth is, I am lucky that I am even able to have a horse. I am lucky that I am able to ride at all. I am fortunate to have parents that put me in riding lessons as a girl. I feel so  very blessed that I was introduced to this sport, and that I am able to ride as an adult.

I am grateful for my complicated horse, and that I am able to spend so much time with him.

I am grateful that I will soon be able to get another horse, and have more than one for the first time in a long time.

As an ambitious rider, I think that I will always strive for more but I mustn’t let that prevent me from feeling contentment in the here and now. I sometimes get so caught up in the things I am unable to do, and the fact that I am not exactly where I want to be in this sport that I forget how blessed I truly am.

Just as I am thankful for the rain today, I am thankful for all that I have and all the experiences I have had to get here. I am also thankful to have the opportunity to keep moving forward.