it is a gift

Several times a week here at the shop I come across a surprisingly common problem, who should buy. It amazes me when two friends are out together and one offers to buy the other one puts up quite the protest. Their are many people who have mental issues in receiving anything no matter how small even from a friend. I think many people see gratitude as prideful. When you see someone who readily accepts compliments about their dress, appearance, manner etc sometimes we assume they are conceited for never saying, no I'm not really. Its like there is a stigma on accepting good things. If you take the coffee your friend bought does that mean you are somehow better than them? Or if you don't take it are you better then them? Or how about this one, should you not accept the coffee because you are not worthy of the courtesy? When my sister and I performed at weddings afterward many people would come up and tell us how wonderfully we sounded and how talented we were etc etc. (Please do not assume I am telling you this to brag) At first, at least for me, it was terribly awkward. I did not see myself as talented or wonderful in any light. Eventually I just believed that people could hear better than me and that must be why they liked my voice, they could hear something I could not. Now that I have come to accept the fact that I possibly do have some talent in the vocal department, I enjoy the compliments. I can be truly gracious, I have accepted God's gift and in return have passed it on to people who then in turn can give me a gift of thanks. We all have to give in order to receive and we all have to receive in order to give. So when your friend offers to buy you a coffee think of this, God has given them the gift of caring, sharing or hospitality, by not accepting you are actually hurting the other person by not allowing their gift to be given. The next time someone gives you a compliment about something you have accomplished, don't down play your accomplishment, otherwise you will not allow the gift of reassurance that God has given them, to pass on to you. None of this will make you proud, conceited, arrogant or pig headed. Because what you must do with the gift that has just been given to you is to pass it on.

-Bex

it is a horse

Today I had my first baby baby show on Mr. Mark and after quite the theatrics I began thinking about my "riding career" and so I decided to compile some thoughts on things that being around horses for most of my life has taught me.

1) No victory is small. If you had the worst ride of your life but you learned one thing, you have accomplished greatness.
2) Not falling off is a good thing.
3) There are healthy nerves and bad nerves, feed the good ones, relax the bad. Good nerves make you better, sharper more acutely aware. Bad nerves make you do stupid things and generally lead to falling off.
4) Something will inevitably go wrong.
5) When you think you are working hard work harder.
6) If you do fall off you must must must get right back on, if you don't you never will again.
7) Something you love can bring you ultimate frustration and exquisite joy.
8) Communication is the key to all successes.
9) If something is damaged it is worth the time to fix it
10) Even after a horse is unable to be "used" they can bring you great joy
11) Comedy can come in all sizes
12) No one is too old to learn
13) It is always best to embark on an adventure with a friend
14) Push past your fear, its good for you.
15) Horses smell better than just about anything on earth :-)

Well that is what I can think of now. Do with it what you will.
-Bex

It is a matter of life

I just recently heard about a horse who could use some help, and maybe the horse is beyond help maybe the best thing would be to put it down so it can sleep in eternal peace but the particular problem he is suffering from is normally treatable and controllable but the current owner does not want to spend the time and money to help this poor beast, worst of all she is not putting him down right away she figures she'll wait a little while until he's in more pain and then end his life. I am just writing this to express my frustration. I cannot and should not at this point in my life take charge of this horse. I wish I could, so terribly badly, but even if there is a way that I could afford the monthly upkeep on this animal the veterinary bills would be exceptionally high at first to get him back on his feet. This matter is close to my heart because I know this horse, he was my horse's buddy at an old stable we were at, I have ridden this horse and I know he gave his best every day he was asked to and now to be tossed out not cared for and to be in pain is inhuman. It disgusts me that so many horse people view horses as disposable, that when they stop earning money or stop being of great use they discard them, often to slaughter houses. Maybe I was just raised with a heightened sense of responsibility but I was taught when you have something in your charge you take care of it to the bitter end, whether you loose interest in your new fish or you hamster grows up to be a mean biting machine you never disregard life. All life is precious seeing as it was created by God and that alone give it the right to be respected and cared for if it is not able to do so itself. It maddens me to think how people can be so flippant about life. Whether it is the life of an unborn child or the life of a hardened criminal. The other day I was reading letters to the editor in a local rag and they were discussing the States expenses regarding life in prison versus the death penalty and I was surprised and horrified to see the number of people who suggested making executions a public event someone even suggested the state sell tickets. Being Catholic we are asked by our church heads to be Pro-Life not just in the sense of abortion but that all killing is wrong before God which would then include executions. When I hear about a crime, especially one towards a child or that involves torture I find my belief in the fact that all life is sacred tested. How are we supposed to allow someone who made a mother choose between her children of which to save and which to let die, or someone who has killed 50 or more random people along route 66 and buried them in shallow graves wherever convenient. And how are we supposed to allow live a father who raped his daughter from the time she was a baby. How are we supposed to forgive them? Allow them to live and give them a chance at redemption? And how are we supposed to show them love?

Dillon

Another baby, but this time its a boy!! Duet Farm's Dillon born on 4/3/09. Check out daddy @ www.clearheartconnemaras.com

EverClear

Evie was born on Friday April 4th a beautiful healthy long-legged baby girl! Check out dad @ www.clearheartconnemaras.com