When I was in college, I had a math professor, Fr. Dobbins, who was equal parts challenging and inspiring. He would assign homework that no mere mortal could complete on their own. Then he would offer a three to four-hour study session every week to work through the material as a group. On the first exam I took with him, I earned 27%, which turned out to be the second-highest mark in the class. He would say, “Anyone can memorize procedures and theorems. I want to know how you can apply the principles to novel problems.”
I would like to say I appreciated his approach back then, but I would be lying. However, in reflection, it taught me some valuable lessons. First, it gave me both experience and confidence in tackling problems I had never encountered before. Second, it taught me how to work with others to solve the novel problems I faced. Problems that I could not solve on my own. I honestly think these may have been two of the most important lessons I learned in college. As I write this, I realize that I have carried this story and experience with me and have been able to draw on it when I’ve felt stuck or faced seemingly impossible odds.
I am grateful that Fr. Dobbins was the only professor that taught higher level Calculus. If I’d had a choice, I am certain I would have switched out of his class after that first semester with him. As it worked out, I had the privilege of being his student for Calculus III, IV, V, and VI. I remember in the last semester with him. He kept encouraging me to pursue advanced study in fluid dynamics or the study of how liquids and gases flow. Otherwise known as “modeling chaos.”
I chuckle to myself when I think about my career and how much of what I do with riders and horses involves finding ways to understand the turbulent and chaotic; and to then work toward bringing predictability and order to our experience and our relationships with our horses.
Father Dobbins passed away in 2008. I like to think he would be proud of my work and how I strive to embody and share the lessons that he taught me in those study sessions so many years ago. I think he would love the process I engage in with my clients where, together, we tackle the novel problems of their lives and horsemanship journeys.
I will end today with this thought—If we can effectively resolve 30% of life’s novel challenges on our own with no help from others, that is pretty darn good. For the other 70%, we can be successful when we work together with a supportive team or community.
I encourage you all to build an amazing “study group” to help you through the tough times.
~ Paul
PC -Erin Gilmore/ Erin Gilmore Photography
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