Growth

And what a season its been! We made it through our first winter, and right into summer, spring was a brief interlude. The grasses are green, mustangs are fattening up from winter, horseback riding has begun, and little foals are spotted everywhere on the range as spring brings new birth and growth. Bailador Viento, our little now 9 month old El Rito mustang continues his journey of learning to be a wild and free mustang here on the ranch. Running with the 'ragamuffin' band, he is learning well the lessons that come within the social structure of a stallion, lead mare, other mares and horses within the band...as well as running within other bands on the range. Even on 5000 acres of land, there are 'space' boundaries he is learning that apply within the herd dynamics here.

Even 'Jesse' our 7 year old black lab, finally learned, he is a lab. We have not been able to get him 'wet' or in water since he was a puppy. But for some reason, this has been his year of 'growth'! He is a ball hound, and so using it as the tool to promote him to learn he is a Labrador, lol...he followed in beyond his fears to get the prize (the nasty tennis ball full of mud)...and he has been swimming since!

Little Bailador Viento has lost his winter woolies and that strange little creature covered with fuzz is showing great potential of being a jewel of a beauty, taking on the sculpted face much like his mother, Sierra Rosa and roaning out with a beautiful terracotta pink tone with his flashy black legs and mane. And the eye, the eye of the El Rito's are dark, round and deep...and he has a beautiful eye.

He has been on the range now for over 3 months. He and Sierra Cancion and Liberty seem to hold his affection. He is very playful with Cancion and enjoys grazing along side of Liberty. He is a little squirt in size, but huge in personality. He still loves to mingle and get the rubs from his human friends even though he has the wild blood of a mustang running through his veins.

And so, he is learning...and growing as are we all. For me on a personal level, I am still learning through watching, the behavior of the wild mustang. Herd dynamics and the social behavior of the wild mustangs never ceases to bore me. There are great lessons and applications that can be made through watching and learning. It has become one of my favorite things to do when I am not painting or riding on the range. Our domestics are learning as well, and the lessons for them are good.

There is a calm resolve within the horse, the mustang. They are by nature a peaceful presence that appreciates and demands good behavior, proper boundaries and low pressure. Something I think we all strive for in our personal lives. Through my time with the mustang, I too have a greater appreciation for these 'moments in time'. I am finding my level of 'intolerance' through the lifestyle and relational dynamics of day to day living. Working on keeping a healthy balance to maintain that peace that surpasses all understanding is a great challenge, as well as a promoter of great growth. I am getting closer, but my, what a challenge it is. I watch the horses, and they make it look so easy to achieve.

With them, there is no worry, no frets or regrets. They live in the 'now', and they do it with impeccable grace. This is my aim...to find that same path, regardless of life's inconveniences and challenges, to embrace the ease of 'being and abiding' in peace. I can 'see' it in action, I can 'feel' it in what I experience living here with the mustangs...making the application, consistently...therein lies the challenge. I appreciate the 'teachers' that I have access to, to continue to learn and grow, all while applying life's spiritual lessons in the process.

I paint, I write, I sing...for me it is my therapy, it is my being, for you, a hopeful outlet of another way of life as you watch and learn through me, just as I watch and learn through them, the wild mustang. 
Melody