The fullness of the days never ceases to amaze me – so much going on, things to do, places to go, people to see, plans to make.   On the days I take a breath  at the end of the evening and sit outside, I wonder where the day has gone.  Many evenings, I feel grateful, other days, just tired.

A few weeks ago, my daughter and I went to Colorado to ride horses in the mountains.  After 20 years, it’s like going home.  We had a splendid time  – great horses, great days, great rides, wonderful friends and conversations.

This year, there was a simpleness – as if every moment was wrapped as a gift ready to be opened and enjoyed.  The simpleness was in the joy of being together.  The simpleness was in each moment – breathing fresh air, hearing the sounds of the quiet morning, feeling the winds change announcing the arrival of a storm, absorbing nature’s beauty, hearing Sarah sing in the shower and sharing glances of knowing.

As I wondered what to write today, knowing that I wanted to write about our time in Colorado, I realized why the idea of “simpleness” came to me.  It was not that anything at the ranch was different, I was.  The simpleness I felt was the space of being.  That is, I was not looking to find new things “to do” – to substitute the fullness of my typical days of work and routine with vacation days of outdoor activities and schedules.

Rather, a mist of contentment of being settled into me.  Yes,  I was in a beautiful place, this time, I felt the mountains as a part of me and I a part of them.

I felt the strength and power of my beautiful horse Willow as we rode up and across the mountains and feeling the alchemy of our partnership.  One of us a horse, the other of us a human – different sizes, capabilities and languages – bringing ourselves to each other, communicating, trusting, enjoying the day at a slow pace and having fun running with our horse and people friends through the mountain meadows.

Even after 20 years, I came home different.  I didn’t leave the simpleness in the mountains when we left, I brought it home with me.  I’ve thought about what this means and how to put it into words.  But, it changes – like the winds – the mountains and horses didn’t have just one, summary, take-home message – they implanted a memory of being.

They remind me to feel my breath.  The other day, I felt the winds change, there was a hint of fall coolness in the air.  They remind me to enjoy the ride.  Now, there are times when driving on the busy Atlanta roadways, I marvel at the cooperative dance.  Whether I’m working on a project, getting groceries, talking with friends, or hanging out with Chipper, the cat, I remember the gifts we share.

And, in the midst of intensity whether meeting a deadline or in a meeting with swirling opinions and perspectives, the mountains and horses whisper in my ear that every moment is a breath of life’s simple elegance – vibrant, ever changing, and infinite.

Thank you mountains and horses for bringing me back to the basics.  Goodness, in the words of Michelangelo “I am still learning”.

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!

Kathleen

P.S. For those interested, our home away from home – the home of the beautiful pictures is C Lazy U Ranch.