02/21/2025
This is whats on my mind today- Stress
Im guessing there is at least a couple people out there living with some kind of stress. And to be perfectly honest, I am too. Stress can come from alot of directions and if were not careful it can make a huge impact on us.
I talk to alot of people, and most with a big smile. They are upbeat and seem like everything is perfect. But when you talk too them they tell you they are under tremendous amounts of stress. I hear this more often than I like. I believe we are a stressed society. Money, health, time, relationships,work and so many more things.
Im just a cowboy, so I dont know how to take your stress away. But I have realized a few things. When I have been stressed before, I couldn't hardly function. Couldn't sleep, couldn't focus on things that were important. And that didnt do anything, actually made things worse. I was tired and less productive.
Yesterday I was working with a horse that was stressed. I could see it. It was doing what I was asking but it had worried and stressed all over it. Well my goal is to help horses. Help them get relaxed and productive. Thats my job. Not just to do something but to be relaxed, comfortable and productive.
Well anyway, I was aware of how this horse was feeling and needed to help it out. So what I do is I start to move it. Standing around stewing on things never helps does it? So I move it around and ask it to do some things that I know it can do, not something new but something familiar. And as I do, it starts to relax. Then as i asked for more it gave it to me willingly and was relaxed. Then I gave the horse time to soak on that and relax. After awhile I came back to the horse and it was completely different than the first time. Why was that? Because he did something rather than just sit there and get worked up. He did something productive and something that helped him in the long run.
Nice story right, stressed horse gets comfortable. But what does that mean. To you maybe nothing, but to me it helps me understand. Its an example that I see everyday with horses. But sometimes dont make the connection. If we just get down and let stress take over we are going to be miserable. We will never be what we want or where we want to be. And probably have a bad attitude.
And just like that horse, we have to get up, get moving and do something. Anything! Just get moving and focus on a goal. A small one first, something you understand or are comfortable with. Then build on that. Im not saying the stress will "go away", I'm just saying you can handle your stress instead of it handling you!
So one guy that seemed like everything was perfect with a big smile I was talking to. When he opened up about being stressed I asked how he did it, he said you just do it, dont let it take you down where you are feeling worthless. Dig down and take care of business. Then he said, then get rid of everything that you dont need in your life, so you can focus on whats important and healthy. Wow! I probably could have wrote a whole deal just on that statement. The most important thing I do when stressed is pray, I dont pray for it to go away, I pray for strength and wisdom to be able to handle whatever it is.
I hope this day finds you doing well!
Danny Berry
Berry Horsemanship
