Dragons on the 1265 Psalter world map
"Here be dragons" means dangerous or unexplored territories, in imitation of a medieval practice of putting illustrations of dragons, sea monsters and other mythological creatures on uncharted areas of maps where potential dangers were thought to exist. ~ Wikipedia
UNCHARTED. UNKNOWN. UNEXPLORED.
These words have struck fear in the hearts of ordinary men since the dawn of time. The normal human brain seeks comfort, ease and plenty. A few intrepid souls in each generation are born with an innate desire for adventure. They do not fear adversity, struggle or injury. They crave the challenges that lie beyond the normal bounds of society. They crave it and arguable NEED it to the same extend they require air to breath. These individuals are the explorers, inventors and entrepreneurs. They are the individuals who dare color outside the lines. Inevitably, they are criticized, ridiculed and scorned, only later to be considered "Brave", "Insightful", "Bold" and "Innovative." These are the people who choose to HUNT the Dragons...
The w:Hunt–Lenox Globe, a copper globe created around 1510, and held by the Rare Book Division of w:New York Public Library. View of the side depicting Asia, cropped to show "Hic Sunt Dracones" text.
From a very young age, I've been a Dragon Hunter. I've never been satisfied to exist within the normal boundaries of ordinary society, nor do I place those imaginary boundaries on others. I find new challenges exciting and seek them out. I'm never really satisfied plugging away day after day doing the same thing - so I don't.
When I decided this project was something I really wanted to do, I talked to my husband about it. We jokingly call him "Operations Manager" of Heart T Ranch because he is generally in charge of building whatever infrastructure is required for my wild ideas! He is the tether to my kite - he keeps me from flying off into the clouds but supports my flight. This whole idea was so new and out of my realm of experience that I had a moment of uncharacteristic self-doubt. Daniel's response was, "What are you worried about? None of your plans ever fail! You have a back-up plan for your back-up plan. Do it." His response gave me pause. I didn't realize that's what he thought of my wild ideas over the last 21 years we've been together. I know that I usually lack any fear of diving into new projects, but I never realized my husband had that kind of trust in me. It was humbling. It also rekindled the fire in me to give this a "GO!"
Step Outside your Comfort Zone.
I believe we all have a little Dragon Hunter within us, but most people bury it either out of fear or pressure from society to fit a "mold."
Have you ever looked at someone and thought, "I wish I were brave enough to do what they are doing!" Or, "I wish I had chosen a different path, but now I'm stuck in this situation and I just don't know how to get out of it?"
Certainly, the easy road is to just stay stuck. Certainly the easy road is to NOT step outside your comfort zone and risk being ridiculed by others around you...I mean...what if you FAIL?!?! How embarrassed you would be! So, you keep coloring inside the lines. You keep the good, steady job that is comfortable but leaves you feeling completely unfulfilled. You stay at Training Level "Just one more year..." because you are not dedicated enough to carve out the time to ride more in order to level up. You'll pay $100/hour for a message but not $75/hour for lessons with a good trainer to help you advance your skills because that is "too expensive." You don't go to the show because you will probably not win the class. You swim in the same stagnant pond year after year...
The older I get, the more I see a need to FEED the Dragon Hunter in people! Though information technology has done much to unite us as a Global Economy, it has also done an equal amount of damage in presenting restrictive social expectations and changing the nature of interpersonal communication. To some extent, many things in life have become too convenient. We can have groceries delivered to our door, order ANYTHING on Amazon and have it delivered in 2 days or less without going to a store. Robots vacuum our floors and Alexa dims our lights, operates our TV and stereo. Many people (especially YOUNG people...) lack the drive to actually change their own lives. Either out of a sense of entitlement or lack of courage, too many of us have become complacent, just sheep following other sheep.
The purpose of Unfiltered Equestrian is simple - to FEED THE DRAGON HUNTER in each and every person who chooses to join me on this journey! Though much of the content will involve Equestrian topics, I believe there is a significant overlap in what a person needs to be successful in Equestrian endeavor and what they need to be successful in business, other sports and their relationships with others. I hope that anyone interested in stepping outside the box will join in!
I want to awaken that part of you that is not satisfied with "Ordinary." I KNOW that each one of you has unfulfilled goals simmering under the surface that are the true FIRE in your heart! I'm not saying quit your job and join the circus, here...I'm saying that I can help you explore the things that bring you your greatest Joy and Inspiration and help you to UNLEASH the potential happiness hiding beneath the surface. I want to make YOU a DRAGON HUNTER!
Unfiltered Equestrian will be just that - UNFILTERED! It will often contain socially challenging topics, ideas that challenge your comfort zone and colorful language. As any of my clients can tell you, I can be an acquired taste...but I can promise that the content here will make you think. It will challenge your current state of complacency, call you to ACTION and support you in your quest to Achieve Extraordinary results in your endeavors.
Information |Description={{en|1=The Nine Dragon Wall in the Beihai Park, a large imperial garden in central Beijing}} |Source=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/splitbrain/86457687/ Nine Dragons Wall detail in Behei Park] |Author=[http://www.flickr.com/peopl
The Unfiltered Equestrian Blog will be posted weekly. Be sure to subscribe (Hit the Subscribe Button on the Blog Homepage or on the Heart T Ranch Homepage!) so you don't miss any sneaky "Bonus Blogs!" Expect to see links to Video Blogs and other fun content!
I'll also be launching the Unfiltered Equestrian Podcast in April! Stay tuned for subscription information! I have some great Guest Interviews planned for 2020, so be sure to tune in!
I'd like to thank each one of you for joining me on this adventure! I'm always looking for feedback, so shoot me an email to tell me what you like, what you hate, what you'd like to see more of or topics you'd like to hear on the Podcast. I want to develop a community where we can share ideas and help each other in our Quest Achieve Extraordinary Results in our lives!
"Be Bold and fly into the unknown. Discover a road that was never known." ~ Debasish Mridha, M.D.