Today I Learned...how to get on a horse.
When I was a kid, I used to go and visit my Aunt Betty and Uncle Bud in New Mexico during the summer months. It was always an adventure, one that I looked forward to greatly. I called Uncle Bud, my cowboy uncle. He loved his horses and enjoyed sharing that love with others. I was no exception. When Uncle Bud went to practice his ropin’ he would let me tag along and open the cow chutes for him. I thought I was pretty special straddling that fence and opening those cow chutes. It was fun watching him chase those cows around on that horse, lasso swinging around in the air and dry desert dust creating a thick fog around the rodeo arena.
One day after he had finished ropin’ I wanted to ride, being so young and a horse novice at best, Uncle Bud saw fit to give me a ridin’ lesson. Now I had been on small horses and ponies before, but never the gia-normous horses that Uncle Bud had. His horses were the biggest I had ever seen in my young life. As I stood next to the majestic beast I was preparing to mount, the task looked impossible. The stirrups of the saddle were eye level and honestly, it was quite intimidating to be standing there trying to figure out how I was ever going to get on that horse. Nevertheless, I stood, studying the situation, then gave it my first shot.
It was a small challenge to get my foot in the stirrup, but I finally got it there. Afterwards I stood, suspended in mid-mount, trying to figure out what to do next. Not knowing what else to do, I started hoping up and down on one foot, psyching myself up for that final forceful jump that would propel me into the saddle. Finally, I was ready – and with one giant push I was in mid-air. Then just as quickly as I went up, I came back down. There I was, laying in the desert dust with Uncle Bud towering over me, he reached down with his cowboy hands and helped me up. As I was brushing myself off, he said “That’s not how you get on a horse.” After a few instructions and a demonstration, he motioned for me to try again. A few more tries later, and I still was not on that horse. Feeling defeated I looked up at Uncle Bud, and told him I didn’t want to ride anymore and I was ready to go home. Besides the sun was starting its descent into the western sky and it would be dark soon.
Uncle Bud wouldn’t hear of it, he looked at me sternly, pointed his long cowboy finger at me and said “We aren’t leavin’ here ’til you get on that horse. I don’t care if you ride or not, but you’re gonna get on him and I’m not going to help you.” I could tell he meant business. At that point, I don’t know what I was more afraid of – the horse or Uncle Bud. He just stood there hand on his hips, looking at me. After a few minutes, of our little standoff he said, “Well – are we gonna be here all night or are you getting on that horse?” I looked over my shoulder at the horse, then back at Uncle Bud and in that last glance I mustered enough courage to try one last time. I walked over, pretended to adjust the saddle (like I knew what I was doing), looked back at Uncle Bud again, then in one not so smooth move I managed to pull myself into the saddle. I felt so proud. There I sat, high looking around at the beautiful desert terrain surrounding me. For a short moment I thought I could conquer the world.
If I had been writing the Today I Learned newsletter when I was 12, my edition that week would have said, “Today I Learned how to get on a horse.” But really, there was much more to that riding lesson than mounting a horse.
What did I really learn that day?
As I have reflected these past few days on my memories of Uncle Bud, I have realized how many life lessons were imparted to me that afternoon.
I learned determination – to not quit until you have done what you set out to do.
I learned perseverance – to never give up no matter how hard something seems.
I learned independence – to believe in your own strength to accomplish what you want
I learned persistence – to keep trying until you succeed.
I learned not to underestimate myself - because even when I don’t believe in myself, there are people around me who know I can do it.
I learned confidence – to not be afraid of a challenge.
Finally, I learned that when I fall off of my horse, the only thing to do is to get up, brush myself off and try again.
Uncle Bud is not with us anymore, but the lessons he taught me that day will live on with me forever. I don't know if it was his military training that made him push me so hard, or just his nature...but I'm glad he did it, because it was a lesson I will never forget.
Today, I learned how to get on a horse.
Proverbs 22:6
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
This blog post was written in loving memory of Bud Dowd, and was performed as spoken word at his memorial service on April 11, 2009 in El Paso TX.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, February 1, 2008
MORE 2008 EDITIONS...COMING SOON
Other 2008 editions of the Today I Learned newsletter will be posted to this blog in the near future...please check back for more soon!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Daddy and WD-40
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
I said to my boss today, "Well we made it." She said "Made what?" I said, "To 2008; we made it, and we are here." She just looked at me...you know "the look". That happens a lot...I say something and people just look at me. I laugh to myself on these occasions because I know that for that small moment, I am the only one who understands me. That story has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm going to write about in today's newsletter, but I wanted to tell you anyway - so there. (Insert "the look" here).
Actually, our conversation was much more involved than that. See, today I returned from my vacation and she knew that I had planned to get my life completely organized in 11 days. (LOL - I'm ambitious). So, she asked me for a "status report" on Christmas, my Birthday, New Years, and my plan to get organized. I shared all the "warm fuzzy" moments of the holidays with her, she patiently listened, then it happened - she asked me point blank: "So did you get organized."
SIGH. I reluctantly admitted that I am only a couple of steps closer to being organized than when my vacation started. We laughed. What I did accomplish though, I learned a lesson from - and this is what I want to share with you this week. Are you ready? Here goes...
While on vacation, I successfully put together a very lovely lateral file cabinet that I purchased in late 2006 (yes I said 2006). I was not procrastinating, just waiting for the "right time" (I'm very patient). I was so proud of myself, because I put it together alone, with no help from the male species. I was extra careful to put all the parts in all the right places, use all the bolts, screws, nails, and pegs with no leftovers; and I made sure nothing was upside down or backwards. It looked beautiful.
Then - it was time to put in the drawers. It took a couple of tries, but I finally got the bottom one in. The top one, however, was not so easy. After several attempts, and a few outbursts of frustration (don't act like you've never been there before), I finally had to break down and admit that the drawer was too heavy for me to balance and slide onto the track. And so - I did what any independent American female would do. I ask my dad to help. He came in "all manly like" and with his HEAVY southern accent said "What's wrong girl, you need me to help." (Insert manly chuckle - hahaha- here) I nodded, smiling he went to work on it. And - you guessed it, he did it in under 2 minutes....after using a lot of WD-40.
As he was working on it, I sat in my chair watching and feeling defeated, then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "You know Krista, when you've done all you can do to make something work and it doesn't work, just ask your FATHER to help out - he can lift the heavy things for you and the anointing oil will make the rough places smooth."
Today I learned that if I can't do it by myself, then daddy and WD-40 can.
Word to the Wise: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." Isaiah 10:27
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, January 2008. All Rights Reserved.
I said to my boss today, "Well we made it." She said "Made what?" I said, "To 2008; we made it, and we are here." She just looked at me...you know "the look". That happens a lot...I say something and people just look at me. I laugh to myself on these occasions because I know that for that small moment, I am the only one who understands me. That story has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm going to write about in today's newsletter, but I wanted to tell you anyway - so there. (Insert "the look" here).
Actually, our conversation was much more involved than that. See, today I returned from my vacation and she knew that I had planned to get my life completely organized in 11 days. (LOL - I'm ambitious). So, she asked me for a "status report" on Christmas, my Birthday, New Years, and my plan to get organized. I shared all the "warm fuzzy" moments of the holidays with her, she patiently listened, then it happened - she asked me point blank: "So did you get organized."
SIGH. I reluctantly admitted that I am only a couple of steps closer to being organized than when my vacation started. We laughed. What I did accomplish though, I learned a lesson from - and this is what I want to share with you this week. Are you ready? Here goes...
While on vacation, I successfully put together a very lovely lateral file cabinet that I purchased in late 2006 (yes I said 2006). I was not procrastinating, just waiting for the "right time" (I'm very patient). I was so proud of myself, because I put it together alone, with no help from the male species. I was extra careful to put all the parts in all the right places, use all the bolts, screws, nails, and pegs with no leftovers; and I made sure nothing was upside down or backwards. It looked beautiful.
Then - it was time to put in the drawers. It took a couple of tries, but I finally got the bottom one in. The top one, however, was not so easy. After several attempts, and a few outbursts of frustration (don't act like you've never been there before), I finally had to break down and admit that the drawer was too heavy for me to balance and slide onto the track. And so - I did what any independent American female would do. I ask my dad to help. He came in "all manly like" and with his HEAVY southern accent said "What's wrong girl, you need me to help." (Insert manly chuckle - hahaha- here) I nodded, smiling he went to work on it. And - you guessed it, he did it in under 2 minutes....after using a lot of WD-40.
As he was working on it, I sat in my chair watching and feeling defeated, then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "You know Krista, when you've done all you can do to make something work and it doesn't work, just ask your FATHER to help out - he can lift the heavy things for you and the anointing oil will make the rough places smooth."
Today I learned that if I can't do it by myself, then daddy and WD-40 can.
Word to the Wise: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." Isaiah 10:27
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, January 2008. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
My Plans, Your Plans, His Plans - Whose Plan will you follow?
So? What do you think of our new look?
Yip. We got fancy smanchy now. I figured if I ws going to do this newsletter thing, I should do it up right. Since we got a new design, we have now graduated to Volume 2. Wow! Volume 2 already?
When I first started this, it was a joke, but with all the postive feedback I'm starting to think, it's a pretty cool idea. So, I'll keep 'em coming as long as you keep readin'. Deal? OK. Now on with it...
We are almost in a new year, so I have been getting myself ready, trying to make plans for the GREAT 2008! Been working on organization, strategy development, revising the "5 year plan", etc. And, I thought I had it all figured out. Then this week, I was caught off guard (in a good way) and it blew my preconceived ideas completely out of the water.
Have you ever walked into a meeting, a party, or an event and had a plan for how things were going to go, then by the time you walk out you find yourself saying, "What just happened in there?". Well, that's what happened to me this week and it had me "in a funk" for the rest of that day. Not because it was a bad thing, but because it was so "the complete opposite" of what I had anticipated (or planned).
So, my thing is this - yes we should plan ahead, make preparation, and think about the future, but in doing this, we should also remain flexible. God's plans always supersede our own and He will find a way to show us the path, if we pay attention and listen. Sometimes, this may result in our own "script" being over-written and replaced with HIS. If we are open though, we will realize that His plans are always better than our own. So, as you make your plans for the GREAT '08, keep our Word to the Wise near your heart.
Today I Learned that when I think I have it all figured out, something happens to show me I don't.
Word to the Wise: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, December 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Yip. We got fancy smanchy now. I figured if I ws going to do this newsletter thing, I should do it up right. Since we got a new design, we have now graduated to Volume 2. Wow! Volume 2 already?
When I first started this, it was a joke, but with all the postive feedback I'm starting to think, it's a pretty cool idea. So, I'll keep 'em coming as long as you keep readin'. Deal? OK. Now on with it...
We are almost in a new year, so I have been getting myself ready, trying to make plans for the GREAT 2008! Been working on organization, strategy development, revising the "5 year plan", etc. And, I thought I had it all figured out. Then this week, I was caught off guard (in a good way) and it blew my preconceived ideas completely out of the water.
Have you ever walked into a meeting, a party, or an event and had a plan for how things were going to go, then by the time you walk out you find yourself saying, "What just happened in there?". Well, that's what happened to me this week and it had me "in a funk" for the rest of that day. Not because it was a bad thing, but because it was so "the complete opposite" of what I had anticipated (or planned).
So, my thing is this - yes we should plan ahead, make preparation, and think about the future, but in doing this, we should also remain flexible. God's plans always supersede our own and He will find a way to show us the path, if we pay attention and listen. Sometimes, this may result in our own "script" being over-written and replaced with HIS. If we are open though, we will realize that His plans are always better than our own. So, as you make your plans for the GREAT '08, keep our Word to the Wise near your heart.
Today I Learned that when I think I have it all figured out, something happens to show me I don't.
Word to the Wise: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, December 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Eat Lemons or Drink Lemonade
It's that time again. Yup - Newsletter time. Aren't you excited? I know I am!!!
I've been saving this nugget for just the right moment, and today feels just right for sharing. I know you've noticed by now that I can't simply write the "newsletter", I always have to write a forward. Since this is a "one liner" newsletter, I didn't figure you would mind so much if I did that. Let's just call it the "Letter from Author" - you know a preliminary commentary on the information to follow.
This is especially important this week, because I don't want anyone to miss my point. Point? You mean I have one of those with these newsletters? Yes I do! Many of you have caught on to that point, others of you still think I'm strange - but don't worry, as my Pastor always says "You'll get it on the way home". Just keep reading and thinking about it and you'll understand....eventually.
OK. Here's my "Letter from the Author" this week:
I'm sure all of you have heard the phrase "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". I've always wondered about that. See, lemons are just lemons. But, if you are going to make lemonade, then you have to squeeze the little suckers (no pun intended) to get all the juice out, then you gotta add some water and sugar, stir it all up and taste test it until you get just it just right. I've watched my mom do this hundreds of times (and I always smile to myself when I see her doing this). See - I don't have time to make lemonade, my life is busy enough as it is. So, when I have some lemons, I just do what I got to do with them and move on.
So with that said - Please enjoy today's newsletter.....
PS: Feel free to forward this to your friends and if they like it then tell them to email me and request to be added to my "list" (Cool - I have a "list" now)
Today I learned.......
By Krista Abbott
"Today I learned that lemons don't taste as sour if you chew them up really fast rather than sucking on them."
The End.
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, October 2007. All Rights Reserved.
I've been saving this nugget for just the right moment, and today feels just right for sharing. I know you've noticed by now that I can't simply write the "newsletter", I always have to write a forward. Since this is a "one liner" newsletter, I didn't figure you would mind so much if I did that. Let's just call it the "Letter from Author" - you know a preliminary commentary on the information to follow.
This is especially important this week, because I don't want anyone to miss my point. Point? You mean I have one of those with these newsletters? Yes I do! Many of you have caught on to that point, others of you still think I'm strange - but don't worry, as my Pastor always says "You'll get it on the way home". Just keep reading and thinking about it and you'll understand....eventually.
OK. Here's my "Letter from the Author" this week:
I'm sure all of you have heard the phrase "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". I've always wondered about that. See, lemons are just lemons. But, if you are going to make lemonade, then you have to squeeze the little suckers (no pun intended) to get all the juice out, then you gotta add some water and sugar, stir it all up and taste test it until you get just it just right. I've watched my mom do this hundreds of times (and I always smile to myself when I see her doing this). See - I don't have time to make lemonade, my life is busy enough as it is. So, when I have some lemons, I just do what I got to do with them and move on.
So with that said - Please enjoy today's newsletter.....
PS: Feel free to forward this to your friends and if they like it then tell them to email me and request to be added to my "list" (Cool - I have a "list" now)
Today I learned.......
By Krista Abbott
"Today I learned that lemons don't taste as sour if you chew them up really fast rather than sucking on them."
The End.
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, October 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Foot in Mouth Syndrome
OK - the coolness I radiate has caused a sudden increase in my popularity level. Awesome!
Though I am now in very high demand (after my radio debut last night) and my presence is apparently required by the multitudes....I still have time to learn new things and keep writing this annoying newsletter to you all.... So.....sit back, relax and enjoy the impartation of my amazing wisdom this week.... DRUM ROLL......for Issue 3 !!!!!!!!
Today I learned...
By Krista Abbott
"Today I learned how to put both feet in my mouth and keep walking."
The End
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, September 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Though I am now in very high demand (after my radio debut last night) and my presence is apparently required by the multitudes....I still have time to learn new things and keep writing this annoying newsletter to you all.... So.....sit back, relax and enjoy the impartation of my amazing wisdom this week.... DRUM ROLL......for Issue 3 !!!!!!!!
Today I learned...
By Krista Abbott
"Today I learned how to put both feet in my mouth and keep walking."
The End
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, September 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Cat Bites
Here's my second installment of the "Today I learned...." Newsletter. For those of you who didn't receive the first issue....you really missed out. And I'm not resending it - it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. So ...if you really want to know, then all you have to do is google it....I'm fairly certain it has a number one ranking by now.
HEY....IDEA....maybe I'll start videoing these and posting them on You Tube! Now - I'm on to something..... As previously stated....if you no longer wish to receive my E-Newsletter, then simply reply to this message "Unsubscribe" and I will be certain to send you two issues next time.
Today I Learned......
By Krista Abbott
"Today I learned that cats do not like it when you bite them back."
The End.
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, September 2007. All Rights Reserved.
HEY....IDEA....maybe I'll start videoing these and posting them on You Tube! Now - I'm on to something..... As previously stated....if you no longer wish to receive my E-Newsletter, then simply reply to this message "Unsubscribe" and I will be certain to send you two issues next time.
Today I Learned......
By Krista Abbott
"Today I learned that cats do not like it when you bite them back."
The End.
Copyright Krista L. Abbott, September 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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