Graze in Your Own Pasture

Horses are herd animals, but we aren’t always together. Each of us likes to go off by ourselves from time to time. We like to keep an eye on each other, so we are usually within sight of one another. Hold Your Horses Farm isn’t a very big place–only about 7 acres–so that isn’t very hard to do.

We do have some hills that can block our view of each other, but as long as we can hear or see each other, we don’t mind being separate. In fact, sometimes it is essential to get away from Goomba and his antics. (He’s just as big a clown with the horses as he is with the humans).

You will often find me off by myself, sometimes grazing in a completely different pasture than the other three horses. They like to stick together more than I do. I like to know where they are, but I like to choose my own grazing spot most of the time. I know what sort of grass I like best, and where it is best for me. I feel most comfortable and satisfied when I’m where I want to be, rather than where others want to be.

I think it is important that people also graze in their own pasture; that they find the place that is best for them. Just as horses don’t always follow each other around everywhere, people don’t need to either. I think people need to figure out what part of their field is most comfortable, most nourishing, and a place where they can thrive and grow. They don’t have to stay in a herd and do everything the way others do it.

Like horses do, humans can connect with each other when they need or want to, and keep an eye on each other. They can be social just like we are. But they can also pick the best pasture to work in.

Our human, Linda Pucci did that when she moved her office to the farm several years ago. Other humans stayed in town and had offices there. But she wanted to graze in a different pasture. I think that is working for her, since I see people coming and going to her office most days. Other times I peek in the window and see her on that telephone thing--talking to other humans, I think.

If you stay with the herd ALL the time, you won’t have a chance to really find the pasture that is best for you. No one else can find it for you–not even a smart horse like me. Since each horse (and human) are different, what is best for one, may not be best for everyone else.

My advice to you this month is to keep an eye on your herd, but choose your own pasture to graze in. You are the one who has to decide what is best for you and your life. I do.

Neighs and Whinnies,

Shade

P.S. If you want help figuring out where your pasture is, you can talk to my human, Linda Pucci about that. She helps people figure out what to do to be happier, more successful and live with greater ease.

P.P.S. She also has a program to help people discover their life purpose–she says it is “7 Steps to a Life of Meaning & Authenticity.” I don’t really know what that means, but it seems to get people excited.

© 2009 Linda Pucci, Ph.D.