Motivation from Moshi no. 33, by Jane Savoie

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Quiet Confidence

Yesterday, a gorgeous new mare moved into our barn. Wowzer… she’s a dish! She was being led down the walkway when I saw a young gelding in the turnout next to me strut and prance and flip his long mane at her. He kept telling her to look over and see how beautiful he is. He nickered and shouted to her that he was the best and smartest horse in the whole barn. When she didn’t react, he hollered at the top of his voice that the rest of us were nothing but old nags unworthy of her. She stopped and turned his direction. I watched her watch him, with great interest. She looked him up and down, flipped her tail at him, and walked off in a huff.

Later, I noticed this fellow was upset and depressed. I strolled over and stood by him, just to keep him company. Eventually he raised his head and quietly asked if I knew why the pretty mare had spurned him. I told him, as gently as I could, that it appeared to me that his superior attitude had turned her off. I shared my belief that when we act like we’re better than everyone else, that same everyone else starts to feel uncomfortable and stops wanting to be around us.

I told him that it’s okay to have confidence, and it’s okay to let our best light shine. But, if we go a step further and act arrogant and superior to our friends and peers, we are intentionally making them feel “less than.” That’s not right. It’s a delicate line between confidence and arrogance. Confidence energy radiates outward and feels good to be around. Arrogance energy sucks inward and is uncomfortable for others to be near.

The young gelding thought for a moment, then looked at me and nodded. He admitted that he knew he was being a bit rude. He apologized and promised to tell the others how sorry he was as well.

I assured this young fellow that there would be many pretty mares in his future, and to forgive himself for this mistake. Life is all about learning, and some lessons are easier than others.

Love, Moshi

From Indy:

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Jane has been SO busy lately! I’ve watched her come and go, waited for hours for her to return, only to see her lock herself in her office to work once she gets back. She never stops! I’m feeling really lonely for her.

Jane has been working very hard on an exciting new project. I can feel her upbeat and passionate energy while she works. I know she is very excited. I don’t understand what she’s doing, but I do know that it is important that she stay on task and gets this project finished.

It would be easy for me to be upset that I’m not getting a lot of attention right now. And there are times when my feelings are hurt and I feel a bit left out. But, I also know that Jane’s busy schedule and demanding business has nothing to do with me personally. I love her enough to let her have this time to focus on her work and to not make her feel bad that she doesn’t have a lot of time for me right now.

It’s hard, sometimes, to look at a situation through the other person’s eyes. But, if we really love someone, really care about them, we’ll take the time to step out of our own emotions and look at what’s going on through their perspective and their experience. Sometimes, we need to be empathetic and understanding of the other person’s point of view.

Jane apologizes to me all the time. I know she feels bad about spending less time with me right now, but I also know that she’ll be back. Rhett and I know that the kindest, most loving thing we can do for her right now, is to let her do her work without trying to make her feel guilty. We know we’re her solid foundation, her rock, her shelter in the storm. And that’s a job worth taking on.

Are you someone’s rock? How can you support a friend today?

Love, Indy

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602

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