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Yesterday morning when I turned on the radio the first song I heard was Yellow by Coldplay. This song always reminds me of my Dad. It doesn’t necessarily bring back particularly happy memories for me. It was one of the songs that played on the car radio when we drove to find out his test results for his brain scan which confirmed a brain tumour which was sadly later to kill him.
Funnily enough I love the song and it doesn’t upset me when I hear it, in fact it makes me feel incredibly close to my Dad. I always listen carefully to the words that Chris Martin sings “look at the stars, look how they shine for you and everything they do, yeah they were all yellow”.
To hear that particular song yesterday morning was, I felt, a sign from my Dad that he was sending me huge encouragement. Many of you will know that yesterday I was competing in my first ever dressage test with my young horse. Between both of my parents my Dad was always the encourager, the one that pushed me, whereas my Mum was always the careful and cautious one. So at a time when encouragement was required I believe he was with me yesterday telling and willing me to “go girl, you can do anything you set your mind to”.
Yesterday was a day of firsts for me and a rather big deal. I’ve never competed before and hadn’t had my new horse for very long. In fact some of you will recall I was even thinking of selling him at the beginning of the year, but with lots of hard work on both our parts, we have turned a corner. I decided to push myself and move out of my comfort zone and enter a competition and I am pleased to report that we came 7th in our dressage test. Yes, there is a lot of room for improvement but we were placed and more importantly we did it.
Another first for me yesterday was I learnt to drive a 3.5 tonne lorry, another achievement and one I have to confess I am rather proud of. I should however add that I would not have been able to do this without the encouragement from a friend. Sometimes all we need is someone to tell us we can do something, someone who believes in us and of course I’m lucky enough to have my Dad who has been watching over me and encouraging me every step of the way.
It just goes to show that whatever our age it’s never too late to start or try new things, it’s good to challenge our brains with a new hobby or direction and I rather think it gives us a new lease of life. Whatever stage or age we are in our lives we can always begin or try something new.
So if you’ve been thinking of learning something new or different my advice to you would be to go for it and as the saying goes it really never is too late. Remember life is for living.
I would be interested to hear from you if you have recently started to learn something new or have pushed yourself and was amazed at the results.
Wishing you a very happy love filled week and may the yellow stars shine on you.
lovehappinessandangels 
So proud of you for trying these new things, really inspirational for everyone around you. I have sometimes found that if one avenue appears to shut, there’s always a way around it, if I use your philosophy.
When I tore all the ligaments in knee whilst skiing, I decided that sliding down mountains was too much fun to stop doing – so instead of skiing, I learned to snow- board.
When I fell off my horse showjumping, and split my liver in half, I decided that riding was too much fun to stop (although I’m sure my family would’ve been happy if I never got on a horse again!), so I learned dressage instead.
I’ve enjoyed learning both of these new takes on 2 sports I’ve always enjoyed.
I can’t wait to see you driving your own lorry(!)… and out and about competing more!
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Thanks Claire, you’ve deminstrated sheer resilience in your sporting injuries and have just carried on but as you say down a slightly different avenue. Although I must admit snow boarding always looks harder to me than skiing? Really glad you are continuing with the hobbies you live and enjoy.
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huge congratulations on both ‘firsts’ Tracey – there’s no stopping you. i can’t drive or ride a horse perhaps they’ll be firsts for me one day – as i’m always on the lookout for new things to do. i recently bought a bike – i actually can’t ride a bike well properly that is. as a child i just used to go around in circles in the playground. I have osteoarthritis in my knee due to an old car accident and thought riding a bike would be completely out of the question – but actually it hurts less to ride a bike than walk – odd. all those years i could have been riding around with the wind in my hair – but it’s never too late. i’ve also discovered dowsing – my next new learning journey. thank you xx
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Thanks Carole, and as you rightly say it’s never too late to learn new things. In fact I think it’s a good idea to engage in new activities to keep our minds healthy and active. I think cycling is a wonderful activity to get around and at the same time will keep you fit and healthy.
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I am very proud of you, Tracey. Congratulations, you did very well… And if you came 7th in the dressage test, you came 1st in the struggle with yourself.
The good thing with horseriding is that you are not the only one involved. If you own a horse, you have to look after him (like you would do for any pet). And you have to train him, to lounge him and to ride him come rain or shine,, with your headache or back sore and no matter how much work you have.
For me horseriding is one of the best ways to outdo myself.
I would never push myself for me alone ; I guess I am too lazy. But for animals, friends, relatives, all my loved ones, it does not mean effort any more but pleasure.
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You are so right Sonia when we want to do things for our loved ones, whether it’s friends, relatives or animals we will always push ourselves – why? Because they are worth it.
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