I have often times said, “The one word that best describes a long ride is uncertainty.” Not knowing where the water would come from, where will I camp?, Will there be grass for the horses? Day after day of uncertainty. I got use to it. Having to recover my mind again and again from a flood of doubt, racing off like a runaway horse. Struggling inwardly with stillness, trusting in life, humbly accepting and appreciating that which did come my way.
Many, many of you are struggling with this world of uncertainty. With families that need food, jobless, closed up inside with a future that has one guessing and speculating with mind games. Uncertainty pounds at our doors.
Hopefully in these days of trials and tribulations as the pandemic rages on, you will find yourself asking, “What really is important? How much do I need? How has this shaped or changed myself and/or my family?” I sincerely hope you find, if only in passing moments of clarity, time to be quiet, time for reflection.
One thing that never left me even in those long riding days that seemed so hard and endless was, “Will this never end?” I always knew that I would make it. I never lost faith in my ability of completing the journey. Eventually, everything changes.
If there is any one thing that I hope for you, it is that you carry THAT with you, “You will make it, we will make it, this country will make it.” Use attentiveness, caution, and skill. Wipe your mind free of debilitating fear – it’s useless, paralyzing. Find courage to move forward knowing – knowing this time is here for a reason and is still a time for discovery, learning, and growing for our families and ourselves.
Nurture, tend, and advocate for that which you love.
I spent the past winter which all seems a lifetime ago, far away, in the town of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The Corona Virus closed up the town a couple of weeks following my departure. All my speaking engagements have canceled, as well as the 2020 Suffragist Tour. I know how many of you are feeling – having the future swept out the door, no income! We are all of us are in this together.
I’ve been in isolation at the home of W+E1 productions, southwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Wren Winfield and Eric Kraus have been hosting my stay and made it possible for me to be in a safe place. My tent campsite is set up in a grove of Juniper trees with the horses nearby and a sweeping view to the western horizon. I’ve been off the horses for two months with a leg injury (I’m on the path of recovery). My horses are bored, they want out, and “lets run, see new sights,” they whinny. Next month I’ll travel north to Montana, that will make them happy, more grass!
In closing – I sincerely hope you find moments of delight, moments when sunshine casts a bright, forgiving light into your life.
Bernice
