I had every intention this morning of writing about one of my pet peeves, the glorification of competition and “winning” as the gateway to riding and horses, when the power went out. Thank God I had already made my first cup of coffee, but it is now getting cold. I cannot heat it in the microwave. I cannot make a fresh pot. I cannot recline my favorite writing chair. I cannot see well enough to read a book. I cannot make my eggs. I cannot recharge my comput… you get the idea.

It amazes me how much I have been transformed over the course of my life. As a child, my siblings and I were regularly kicked out of the house. We spent most of our days outside, engaged in creative play and seasonal activities, fully immersed in life without cell phones, computers, or much electricity at all. Now, I find myself annoyed and frustrated if the power is out for more than a few minutes.

Sitting in the dark this morning gave me time to puzzle over that transformation. I realized that I am far less concerned about how deeply I have integrated technology into my day-to-day life. I genuinely love the richness and opportunities for personal growth and productivity that have come from everything from brilliantly creative kitchen gadgets to AI. What concerns me more is the possibility that I am losing a sense of engagement and wonder in non-tech experiences. The joy of creativity and play. The joy of relationships and adventure.

One of the greatest gifts horses and riding have given me is a deep, in-the-moment presence where the rest of the world falls away. Recently, however, I have noticed myself periodically checking my phone for texts and emails, or even taking a work call. There are real demands of work and limited time, but with intention, it would be easy enough to better protect that space I call horse time. I want curiosity, play, care, and relationship to remain at the center of my life with horses.

Wouldn’t it be cool if wonder, creativity, exploration, and play were the gateway to riding and horses, and competition and winning were simply fun distractions along the way? Join me in staying connected to the core of it all. ~ Paul

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