Bliss And Broken Technology

Do you know what this is?

No, I'm not talking about the classy faux-wood veneer of my cheap desk that came with the house because the last tenants were too lazy to move the behemoth (fake "wood" weighs a TON).

This is my broken Iphone 4S, which "at least I got to enjoy for a week!" as my son cheerfully pointed out. $200 to fix. CRAP.

Here is what happened...

I read this post:  Renata's Awesome By Chance Buddhism Post,  and decided to use the subject matter as a "meditation" of sorts on my trail ride this past Sunday.

I forgot the fact that when I ride alone in the hills, for hours and hours, just me and my horse, I really don't think of much at all, which is probably why I actually enjoy (prefer) riding alone. It's the one time that my mind is blissfully still. I am just in the moment (cliche', I know, but we all have that one activity!).

I listen to the sound of my horse's foot falls, the cicadas (or whatever they are) humming incessantly, the breeze through the olive and oak tree branches, the creak of the leather on my well used saddle (I wonder who else has used it...and for what? Ok...maybe I think a little bit on my rides). The point is, this is what I've been missing for so long. And I'm so glad I have it again. Four hours of quiet meditation, a little reflection, but mostly...most importantly...time that belongs to just me and my horse, nothing and no one else in the world. It's always felt so tranquil and magical. From the time I was 10 years old, throughout my childhood and early adulthood, no matter what was going on in my life, I could always ride. Just....ride....

I'm thankful for my horse because, not only is she great (horses are just awesome in general, right?), she is that "special kind". The kind of horse that comes along once, twice if you're lucky, in a lifetime. She is also a spiritual teacher. She doesn't know it, because she already knows how to just "be", and probably wouldn't understand why sometimes humans can't just "be", but she's teaching me a lot. She's reminding me to be mindful.

So my phone....well, I hopped off my horse when we were almost back at the ranch and she shook so violently (she was sweaty and itchy, I'm sure), that the phone flew off the saddle where it was resting inside the open space between the saddle horn and her saddle pad, and landed hard...really hard.

I swore a little (any excuse to cuss). But the ride was totally worth it. I'm not really that upset.

When I got home, the first thing my husband asked was "How was your ride?"

My answer: "Life affirming!" It usually is.