Do What Makes You Happy

Two whole months, am I crazy? Two whole months and I haven't even thought about a blog post! Fortunately enough, I did have one already written out, so I just had to tweak it and post it. However, a lot has happened this month, we moved Cody back home for the winter and I started working with a trainer much closer to home- so I will be able to lesson weekly and continue riding everyday. But, this time I promise to write at least twice a month, no excuses. Now that Cody is home, I can start writing about his training and plans for the future, as well as any other horse that joins the journey.

These past few months I have been plagued with the question of what makes me happy. For some people, plagued may not be the right word, but it is all in how you look at it. I've wanted to write about this for quite sometime, but I just haven't had the courage to post it. This is a very controversial topic for some people, but I feel that this is something that many need to realize. I know that I'm not the only one faced with this problem, which is why I chose to write about this. Many young riders go through these same phases of questions almost everywhere they go. So, I hope I can shine some light for those that are having the same problems.

It seems like everywhere I go and everyone I meet, people are asking me the same question: what do I want to do when I grow up. Well, that's easy. I want to go Professional with this sport. I want to represent my country at the Olympics and WEG, I want to give clinics around the globe, I want to train Dressage horses for a living, and I want to do this everyday for the rest of my life. But, for most people, that's not the answer they are looking for. They want to hear "Doctor, Veterinary, Lawyer, ect.". This has been something that I have had to deal with for quite some time, and I don't understand how people are telling you to "do what makes you happy in life", yet making it unacceptable to do so. 

Ever since I was four and I started riding horses, I wanted to go to the Olympics. Which, all adults thought was pretty cute- thinking that I would grow out of it in a few years. No, unfortunately for them- and eleven years later- I still want to do exactly the same. Why? Because it has always made me happy, I love what I do. Reading, riding, studying, everything is Dressage. So why not continue doing what makes me happy while taking it to the next level. I still am faced with the "oh that's cute" or the "rethink that in a few years" response when they hear my plans. But, it's never going to change. 

Some have even offered up the idea of continuing on to get a job while competing as an AA. But, sitting in a cubicle or work office all day is not at all what I associate with happiness. There is not a job in the world that would make me happier than training and bringing up horses. Happiness, to me, is waking up at 5 a.m. to feed, clean stalls and tack, then continue to ride and train horses until it is time to feed again. On the occasions that I have groomed for trainers, I was up to feed at 5:30 and I stayed until 10 at night untacking and hand walking horses- and I could not have been happier. There are so many people in the job world who do not enjoy their job or just hate what they do; life is too short to be counting the hours until you can go home. I don't want to become one of those people, I want to move mountains and make things happen, not calculate numbers and wait until it's time to leave. 

With that being said, everyone should pursue what they love, even if it is deemed unacceptable. The world would be so much happier if everyone was excited to go to work. At the end of the day, it is our happiness at stake and our life ahead of us. If you have a passion for something, nothing is more exciting than to wake up just to do what you love.