11/27/2024
The thing I did wrong….
I knew when I was a kid and decided that I wanted to be a horse trainer, that I needed a resume to stand on. I was young, looked even younger and already had a half a dozen horses and my own barn. Nonetheless, I needed to get to work to prove myself when I hung my sign on the fence. There wasn’t going to be a working student position for me, I had a full barn to care for already and a bunch of young horses to start. So I began building my resume in the show ring and taking educational courses.
I built a pretty healthy list of accomplishments as a teenager and have continued to build on it all my life, but here’s the thing…
I NEVER STOOD ON IT.
I just kept growing it, which of course is valuable, but I kept telling myself it wasn’t enough. I always need to add or do *one more thing.* (Guess who’s husband this drives nuts.🙈)
I continued to tell myself that I wasn’t enough.
Years ago now, I had a short conversation at the feed store that validated my lack of self worth and I just rode with it. For years. And it wasn’t this guy’s fault at the feed store, he didn’t really know me. These types of situations and conversations happened to me frequently.
And it was my fault.
I let it become a part of my identity.
So I was waiting in line to get my feed loaded and I recognized the person ahead of me, but couldn’t put my finger on their name. Ya know, one of those things that you don’t need to know but it drives you crazy anyway. I asked the feed guy who it was and without missing a beat he said, “It’s your competition, ‘So-and-so.’”
“Oh.” I said meekly as I thanked him and crawled back into my truck.
I didn’t know what to say or how to react. This person teaches kids group lessons with 8 or 10 kids running in all directions on ponies at one time - jumping. I teach private classical dressage and horsemanship lessons. We didn’t run our businesses the same nor did we even teach the same discipline. I didn’t think this person was my “competitor,” until then. I felt lost and not worthy of my hard earned education and experience.
The lesson here…
Know who you are.
Don’t let other people make that decision for you.
Don’t sell yourself short.
Know that you are always enough.
Find a tribe that values you.
Keep showing up for yourself and those who love, respect and appreciate you.
Your people are out there and they’re not the same people at the farm down the road.
There will always be someone who can’t see your worth, don’t let it be you.
🌻 Cara
📸 Scott Trees
