Perspective

I began the evening keen to get on and edit that manuscript. But the end of a long week busy with work demanded a glass of wine. And so attention faltered: for whilst a glass might spur the imagination, it does nothing for attention to detail. Besides, at the end of a week poring over detail - at work and at home - I am tired.

Now two days of riding beckon. Looking at an old photo, I realised something else that riding has shown me: that one is small in a very large world. So much of life revolves around seeming big and important, certainly whilst handling the double-edged sword of employment within a large organisation. That pays the bills, of course, and yet there is the pressure to be seen, respected and considered responsible for some success or other. How tempting all that is. Persona strides forth, and moral corruption in his wake.

And then, for the fortunate, there is a horse to carry one off into a great open space that both humbles and inspires. Out there I may be myself. Indeed I need to be, for it is competence rather than facade that gets one through. Horses tend to demolish Potemkin villages. I love the great open spaces, where there is room aplenty to think, and a sense of perspective is nourished.

Comments

[Laura Crum]

What a beautiful photo. Everything you said in this post resonates for me. Thank you for expressing this truth so well.

[White Horse Pilgrim]

Thank you, Laura, I do appreciate your words.