You Don't Have to Be the Hero Tonight

To those I'm closest to in my life, I think I play the supporting role the best. I will do what I can to help you out, to do all the little things that make you look good or allow you to go on and do what you do best.  The little things that don't really get noticed when they are done, but are noticed when they aren't.  The role is hard.  It's hard when the things you do don't get noticed and it's only noticed when the task doesn't get done.  In my selfish ways, I want others to notice when I'm gone.  You may not notice me when I'm there, but I hope you'll notice when I'm not.  That there's a void, the support is gone.  I want to be the hero, helping those around me without much fanfare (but sometimes it'd be nice :-) ).  But who's the superhero's hero?  Superman's superman?  To someone who plays a supportive role, it is hard when no one appears to be your support.  Who do you go home to and talk to when all it is is an empty home?  Who do you rely on when you're weary of others relying on you?  When you're dependable, it's easy for others to expect it of you from then on and to not be dependable may seem like failure.   Sometimes you want to shout, "What about me?"  "What about what I want?"  It's not like that's why you do it and you shouldn't be doing it for yourself.  You do it out of the love you have in your heart.  You do it to serve those like Christ served us.  You do it to put God first, others before yourself, and yourself last.  God is your support, He is the best support for all.  But lastly and most importantly, you don't have to be the hero tonight.  It's not your job....it's not my job.

Good song for all you heroes out there.
FFH Undone

Don't Be a Cougar!

Since I began working at camp, I have learned a lot about behavior, both human and horse.  Why not?  I'm constantly around both of those groups every day and they are always changing (at least the humans are always changing!) so I can observe and study both groups.  It's actually a fascinating subject and here are some thoughts.  

Horses are magnificent animals.  They reflect our emotions and are a mirror to our own soul.  If we are feeling frustrated, nervous, scared, or distracted, they will reflect.  On the flip side, if we are calm, confident, and at peace, the horse will be a relaxed confident mount.  We may not even know exactly what we are feeling or dealing with on the inside and a horse will bring it to the surface.    A horse can also sense what may be “different” about a rider and can take compassion on them, take them into their “herd”, and take care of them.

Horses cannot lie.  They cannot hide their emotions, hide their feelings, or deceive us.  Humans, on the other hand, are constantly suppressing our true feelings, lying with our words and actions.  While our words may lie, our body language usually does not.  It is difficult to fake one’s body language yet it appears to be something that we rarely clue into.  Horses communicate only through their body language whether it’s in their stance, their ears, or their body position, they tell us exactly how they feel.  Often times, humans in our predatory ways ignore body language in both animals and others around us.  We have often seen a young child excitedly run up to an animal only to have that animal run away.  Once that animal runs away, we often see that child chase it to try to catch it.  They don’t understand that the animal is running away due to fear and that chasing a scared animal will, more than likely, not involve them catching it.  We don’t recognize the subtle clues that both animals and our fellow man tell us.  What would happen to communication if we were to clue into the non-verbal side?  What would happen to our relationships?  Think about how much more observant, connected, and intuitive we would become.

Horses are followers by their nature. Every herd needs and has a leader, usually a boss mare, and the herd will follow their leader without hesitation. This is key to their survival.  A good leader is fair and consistent.  The leader is not aggressive, mean, or overly dominant but assertive.  They need to trust and respect their leader.  Horses naturally will follow as they don't naturally desire to be in the lead but in the absence of a good leader, will take over that position themselves.   As we work with a horse, we need to assume the role of the leader in the relationship.  If we can prove ourselves to be a fair and competent leader without dominating and causing fear in the horse, we can build a relationship based on trust and respect.  What is amazing is how we can change our ways from predator (ex. getting a horse to move away from you) to prey (ex. softening our body position and "asking" the horse to come to us) and the horse, who lives in the here and now, will respond to you based only on the body language you now present.  While a minute ago you were telling that horse to "go away" (aggressive body language), you can now soften your stance and position and ask him to "come to you" and he will.  They don't hold onto the past.....why do we?    (I've titled this post after a saying that Amie and I have around the kids, "Don't be a cougar" = "Don't act like a predator, act like a partner.")

Likewise, as humans, often times we want to have a strong confident, yet not dominating, leader that we can follow.  Thankfully, we can have a “boss horse” in our relationship as well.  God can be our leader.  He is fair and just, yet demands respect.  Just as the horse who follows their competant and confident leader, we need to follow our Leader.  We can have faith that our Leader will never fail, will always have our best interests at heart, and is completely trustworthy.  It is complete and udder freedom to have that relationship.  It's not a prison, confined by rules and "Do nots" but a liberating experience.  That may seem like a contradiction to have "rules" and "freedom" at the same time....but it's not.  A horse that trusts it's boss mare/leader can be confident that someone is watching out for the herd, trust that they only have their best interests at heart, keeps them steered away from danger, and will take care of their needs.  It's safe.  Likewise, we have freedom as well.  Not freedom to do whatever we want, but freedom to do as we ought to.

In closing, I challenge you to observe those around you, listen a little less to the words and a little more to the body language, and be clued in to your own language.  Then take a look at your relationship with your "Boss Horse" and experience the freedom that comes with it.

       

Why Camp? Why not?

This isn't targeted to Camp Tecumseh but the accreditation service for camps is the American Camping Association (ACA).  This is a you tube video they've put out.  It's a great reminder as to why we do what we do and why we put in the countless hours we do.  It makes a difference.  It can change a life.  It's an experience that can last a lifetime.  I've heard countless stories from campers and it was neat to hear from actors/"famous" folks.

Because of Camp

Teach Me to Number My Days

Blink by Revive

This is most definitely one of my favorite songs....listen to the words carefully.  Ask yourself tomorrow, "What have I done with my life?"  Then ask yourself, "What will I DO with my life?"  Remember that there may never be a tomorrow for you.  People 10 years ago and today went to bed not expecting that it would be the last time they went to sleep, spoke to their loved ones, or hugged their children.  Make the best of your time.

Where Were You?

Where were you 10 years ago?  The day your world stopped turning?  

I remember that day and the days that follow with clarity.  So vividly do I recall the events of 9/11 that I still choke up, my eyes fill with tears, and I feel those emotions all over again when I see the pictures, hear the stories, or see the video.  It is a day that will forever live in me.  I see 9:11 on the clock and think of that day; I see $9.11 and it hits me.  That date is forever in my mind.  It's also a day I don't want to forget, to push aside, or erase from my memory.  I came from a family that valued patriotism and a love of country and a desire to see her continue as the home of the free and the home of the brave and I pray that God continues to bless America.  Do I think I live in the best country?  Yes.

It was a Tuesday morning and I had been up early to work breakfast at Shreve Hall.  My shift ended and I had gone out for a quick run before hitting the showers.  I only had two classes that day-American Indian History at 12:30 and Animal Science Senior Seminar at 4:30 (like I said, that day remains in clarity because I can't remember anything else of my schedule during my years at Purdue).  After my shower, I did something I don't normally do....I turned on the TV to make noise in the room while I got ready for the rest of my day.  CNN was on and images of a burning World Trade Center were on.  The ticker at the bottom read of "Plane hitting WTC" but few other details.  I checked a few other channels to find that it was on every single channel we had.  This was big stuff.  As I sat and watched footage, I began to realize that my country, the country I loved, was under attack.  I watched the news until I had to leave for my class only to get there and see that class had been cancelled.  I went back to my dorm and continued to watch TV.  Folks in the hallway were all talking about it.  "Have you heard?"  "Can you believe it?"  "I don't understand."  "Do you know anyone?"  Having lived in a country, isolated from any combat on our own soil since the Civil War, that was now being attacked, and in the most coward of ways, I had never felt vulnerable.  Now I did.  And I did not like the feeling.  I went to my second class and, of course, they were all abuzz with the news.  I don't remember how much lecturing went on but I know we did try to get down to business.  Wednesday's classes went on but with a more somber feel to them and with a somber mood all over campus.  A candlelight vigil at Slayter Hill brought hundreds if not thousands.  I remember hearing a plane go overhead during that vigil and everything and everyone stopped and looked up. Fear were in some eyes.  Hearts beat a little faster I'm sure until that noise went away.
Everything in America had seemed to stop.  Stock market, sports games, flights, etc.....silenced for now.  What do you do?  What do you say?  How do you not hate those around you who might believe in the same book the terrorists did?  I certainly did not hate, but I did not trust.  Nor do I still in some ways....but that's for another time.  Friday I gave blood.  Just a little something I could do.  Wore a flag on my backpack (that remained there throughout the rest of my years) and gave money to the Red Cross.  Went to a memorial service at the Elliott Hall of Music with all of campus as classes were suspended so that all could go.  That Friday night was my first contact with the folks from my Bible Study/church.  While I had been in shock most of that week, I was an emotional wreck when I saw my friends.  Fear came out.  Fear that my brother, who's unit had been activated, was off to fight a cowardly enemy, one who had no rules, no boundaries.  Mostly my faith in the safety and security of my country had been shaken and it showed me that there was truly only one thing in heaven or earth that could be completely trustworthy and faithful....my God and Savior Jesus Christ. People asked me, "Where was your God on 9/11?"  I said, "He was right in the middle of it.  Giving our firefighters and first responders the courage to go into a burning building, He was with co-workers working to save another's life, and giving those involved a peace and calm in the midst of the most troubling of circumstances."  God created us and He also created courage, bravery, and heart.  All things that were seen that day.  So that's where my God was.  And He still is here, with every service man and woman fighting justly to preserve our way of life.  Giving up their freedoms and comforts so that we could be free.  I pray that we don't forget the events or try to erase them from our minds.  Let us never be complacent about our past.  Our past can make us stronger.  The farther away from an event we get, the more likely it gets watered down in our minds.  May this never happen to you.  It won't happen to me. I have moved on in my life since that day 10 years ago.  I don't live in fear anymore, but rather living in freedom both of this world and out of this world.

To the true heroes of this world....firefighters, policemen, our military....willing to give of themselves, to sacrifice and pay the highest price for someone they have never met, to give up their freedoms so that we could have ours....I salute you and give you my solemn promise that I will never forget what happened, what you are fighting for, and I will always honor and respect you no matter the task you have been asked to undertake.

9/11/2001  

Never Forget....The Home of the Free only as long it remains the Home of the Brave

Respect the World Around You

Misconceptions about horses and animals in general that I see day in and day out in my job:

Despite what Hollywood portrays, horses go not go faster simply because you flip the reins up and down.  Think about what the reins are attached to...a metal bit in their mouth.  Would you go faster if someone put a spoon in your mouth then flipped it up and down so that it hit the roof of your mouth?  Well, you might because you're now mad and in pain!  Think about your actions and the effect they can have on the animal.  The bit in the horses mouth is to control where you go and how fast you get there.  Use it wisely and only as needed, otherwise the horse will become dull to your aids or will resent the hands on the other end of those reins.

Animals are not vindictive, they don't go around thinking, "How can I get them today?", and don't plan out anything.  They don't try to knock you off going under a branch or "take out your knee" by getting too close to the fence post.  They don't understand where you are in space relative to them.  Much the same way that if you were to put a toddler on your back and then start to go through a doorway, you have to stop, think about how tall you now are, then compensate.  Animals don't think that way.  If they fit, they go through.  If their belly doesn't rub on the fence post, then they think they fit.  Or if you stick your hand out and get bit, it's not the animal's fault.  You reached out to them, they are used to people feeding them, so use some sense and don't stick your fingers in their mouths.  Please don't say that my horses are "out to get you."  It's up to you to be the logical one in the relationship

But I digress from the subject of this post which is......respect

How would you like it if you were penned up and others came by and tried to scare you, made fun of you, or taunted you?  How respectful is it to the animals that God has given to us, entrusted to us, if we lord our supposed "superiority" over them?  We were not meant to trample over the creation that God gave us, but rather use it to our benefit, be a good steward of it, and be respectful and thankful for it.  I'm all for eating meat and using the products that animals can give us, but I also take care of the animals I have been entrusted with, I don't tease, scare, or mock them, and I respect them.  Probably the animals have no idea that they are being mocked or teased, but if we have that attitude with them, we probably have it with others around us and they will know when they are being put down.  To those that we think we are better than.  We take our superior attitude and are cocky, arrogant, and demeaning.  It's fun to have animals around and they certainly provide a laugh now and again and it's quite alright to laugh at them.  But respect them just like you would all of God's creation.  Hopefully you respect the earth and it's resources and more importantly, you respect those around you and the God who created it all.  He gave us a beautiful gift called Creation.  I wish I could have seen the original, unblemished Creation because the sin-tarnished one we have now is pretty incredible.  So my parting words will be part of the creed of the Sagamore Council which every Tecumseh camper will hear during Friday night devotions: "I will respect the world around me- the plants, the wild things, the people and their ideas; and each day will bring new adventures."

Week 9 at Last

Here we sit, at the end of the circus.  11 weeks ago, 7 counselors and 3 barn assistant entered the fellowship room not knowing what adventure they were going to be embarking on.  Fresh faced, wondering eyes, and with no tans would soon be transformed into the tanned, tired faces of professional counselors.  What a summer we've had together.  We swept numerous strokes with the broom, groomed and tacked the horses hundreds of times, answered countless questions, and sweated buckets of sweat.  We've had our frustrating, annoying, and dramatic moments with campers and horses that don't cooperate.  There's been drama within and around us.  Adventurous moments on trail rides with horse flies that attack without cause, turtles that block the path, deer that crash through the forest, and campers that are convinced that their horse is "Outta control" while walking down the path.  I've graded hundreds of tests with answers that make me laugh, make me shake my head, and answers I couldn't even read. Ridden onstage on stick horses to hand out awards while nearly passing out due to the heat.  Carried over 200 bags of feed down the barn aisle to feed horses day in and day out.  Filled the water troughs that seemed to never stay filled.  Gotten up before everyone else at camp to go run in the horses for yet another early morning trail ride, with a low fog still covering the ground and dew on the grass.

Yet, throughout it all, we're still smiling!  Counselors are tired and worn out, sick and barely standing, but they don't want to leave this place that has become home.  What does camp do to us that puts us through the most tiresome weeks of our lives but leaves us wanting more?  I'm ready to move on to the fall, to put the 14 hour days behind me, and get back to my life again.  It's been a good summer.  Full of laughs.  Full of the little moments that transform our lives.  Thanks to my counselors for a great 2011 summer.  I hope some of them come back for 2012.  I know they will go home different from when they came.  They came in shy and soft spoken and most have found a side of them they never knew they had.  They grew as people, grew in their faith, grew in their character.  Remember to take a piece of camp with you wherever you go.

I'm Third.