On International Day of the Girl, a brilliant idea was posted by Kristi Faulkner, asking women to share a picture of themselves as a girl, along with advice they’d give to their younger selves.
I’m a couple days late, but if you ask my 13-year-old daughter (or my inner 10-year-old,) we’re pretty sure every day is the Day of the Girl. After all, the desire to be understood and celebrated is definitely not limited to the second Friday in October.
So, to my 10-year-old self, riding my first, naughty pony on a drizzly May afternoon, here is my advice to you –
Your strength will come from the inside, not the outside.
When you first start out, you’re going to be awkward, uncertain and sometimes yank around on things you shouldn’t. Over time, you will gain balance, confidence, poise and finesse. This is true of horseback riding, any new job, standing up on a public bus for the first time, and sex.
Approach everything with gratitude. Appreciating every single part of the ride, even when things get really bumpy, will lead you to miracles.
You will fall off. More often, you will almost fall off, which is just as scary because your mind goes where your body didn’t. Getting back in the saddle, with your head and with your body, will build more courage every time.
You’re braver than you think you are.
If you and your pony/friend/spouse/child/coworker/client trust one another, you can go anywhere together.
It takes two to argue.
Never ride in tennis shoes! It’s not only unsafe, a cool pair of cowboy boots will never go out of style. Same goes for good posture and a strong core.
Stick with riding, and you will someday have the inner thigh strength to crush a walnut between your knees.
Always keep your chin up and your eyes in the direction you want to go.
You are beautiful, inside and out. Everyone is. We all forget sometimes, though, so helping others remember that is one of the biggest gifts you can give.
I know it’s 1982 and head protection wasn’t really a thing, but PUT ON A DAMN HELMET! It’s the only noggin you’ve got.
I love you. You’ve got a long, amazing ride ahead of you.