Holiday Presence - 2011

The ancient Greeks had two words for time - Kronos, referring to sequential time that we measure using calendars and clocks and Kairos, meaning the supreme moment. Kairos is more elusive, signifying a brief moment in which something special could occur and in which things are possible. These Kairos moments, are the ways in which horses live, and what we call "horse time".

Our work with Marsha, a woman in her late 40's, is an example of how we can cultivate joy and peace as we approach the Holidays and the New Year. By stepping into horse time we can avoid repeating old conflicts and reactive patterns.

Marsha was feeling stuck in frustration and anxiety about her family coming for the holidays. She had been experiencing difficulty connecting and communicating with both her children and her sister. As Marsha tried to connect with a horse without a halter, she spent a great deal of time brushing, patting, and moving the horse around; she tried to give the horse some hay she saw lying around but couldn't get a response out of the horse. Finally she cried out:
"This horse just doesn't care anything about me!" They were completely
disconnected.
We suggested that she take a moment to:
    •    Center and Relax
    •    Tune into her Breath
    •    Let go of past and future thinking
    •    Bring her Awareness to the Present Moment

Marsha went and sat down, closed her eyes and began to breathe. She then looked up and at the horse across the arena. Without a word she began asking the horse to walk toward her. After a long while the horse walked over to Marsha and they stood close together.

When asked about what occurred in the arena, Marsha replied: "I was trying to connect with the horse at first by doing everything I thought he might like, cleaning him, feeding him, etc. I wasn't really trying to connect and I was getting anxious and upset while brushing the horse remembering past issues with my family, and thinking about what might happen when they come for the holidays. Then, I started getting angry when the horse wasn't responding to me. When you told me to go take a breath and some time to connect to myself, I kept bringing my thoughts back to being here in nature, and realized that if I did not seize the moment and put the effort into connection, I may never get the result I desire with my family, and the holidays would be a disaster. I think when I was patient, and really set my intention and commitment to be right where I am and to connect, the horse felt my energy and wanted to be with me as well. It was really peaceful and I felt the constriction in my chest relax... and I felt gratitude for the horses' love and he felt it too".

This Holiday season allow yourself to enjoy the present by utilizing discernment, grace, timing, and opportunity. As the seasons change so must we be able to experience fluidity and flexibility. We must be able to adapt and take advantage of changing circumstances, let go of old grudges, take a deep breath, and find that moment of possibility where peace and love can be experienced and lived. By utilizing the wisdom of the Horse, and remembering to be mindful of those Kairos moments, the moments that are infused with choice and meaning, we can step into 2012 fully present and receptive to the adventure of the present moment.

Some tips: