As a Farrier/Hoof Trimmer/HoofCare Specialist, it’s that time of year again — end of winter, early spring — when I’m required to upgrade my physical stamina to rev up my body’s endurance for the new work year.
Yes, I work throughout winter, but with shorter days — rain, wind, snow and mud — the work is limited, with more down-time. And in some ways, winter work is also easier!
Why? Moist hooves are softer and yield to my trimming tools (and therefore my muscles!) with less effort.
When hooves begin to dry out, as we move into the hot months of summer and fall, the effort required to achieve the same results intensifies.
So I thought I’d record the process of strength-building as I go about it, again, this year.
DawnHoof
It’s a Mind Game!
We think of physical labor to be — physical.
Yet, in fact, it all begins in the mind!
How can that be?
Aren’t physical limitations physical?
Not according to Dr. David Hanscom, MD, author of book Back in Control.
Turns out our minds influence our bodies far more than we realize!
So the first area I must work on in building my stamina for the upcoming work season, is mental.
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Say “No” to Weakness — “Yes!” to Strength
I find myself with a mental choice: “Weakness? Or strength?”
Which do I affirm?
Which do I want, after all?
When I feel myself slink into any form of weakness, I must catch that thought and replace it with strength.
Right now!
I must immediately take some form of action in that strong direction.
For weakness seeks an inroad, and must be rejected.
From a simple thought, such as, “Oh — I’m tired, I don’t want to . . .” to: “I can’t possibly do that!”
My response must be, “NO!”
How about Flying “Thought Balls?”
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Take Action!
The action needs to be immediate!
It may be as simple as replacing the thought with, “This is easy, I can do this!”
It may be some form of physical action — like getting down on the floor and doing a series of pushups and abdominal roll-outs. (See my post My Body is a Workhorse for my easy workout tips.)
Or it may be just getting up and doing the dishes . . . tidying the table . . . going out and feeding the horses . . . anything to shift myself from sedentary to active.
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This all reminds me of my flying days as a private pilot. (See my page: Family of Flying.)
Turns out, an aircraft requires constant adjustment to stay in straight and level flight. Calm, subtle adjustments.
So the “Airplane of Dawn” requires much the same.
When my (mental or physical) “altitude” drops or climbs off my intended course, I must adjust it. And sooner, rather than later.
Which means I must be paying attention to my “instrument panel” — altimeter, compass rose, turn-and-bank-indicator, fuel supply — all the gauges that allow me, as pilot, to set the course of my craft.
“Yes, I CAN!”
Flying, after all, requires a “can-do attitude”.
So does everything else in life!
If I tell myself — and if I believe it — “I’m too weak” or “too old” or “too tired” or, “I just don’t want to . . .”, my physical farrier career will certainly be over.
Like an aircraft off-course, it would be headed for a crash!
For my mind and my self-talk are like the “instrument panel” of my airplane.
Unless I keep my eye on the physical and mental trajectory that I set, I will fall off course.
Love is the Key!
Just as in flying airplanes, there is great satisfaction in being fit for my physical labor job.
I love my work with horses and hooves. (See my posts, Watching the Woman Work and Romancing the Hoof .)
Horses have been my lifelong passion! I don’t think one can work long-term in the farrier industry without truly loving it.
I want to stay strong and keep up my work and schedule, serving the horses and humans in my clientele, as I always have.
As I’ve now entered my 33rd year of HoofCare and my 7th decade on this planet, it’s very important to tune up my “flying skills” — staying strong and fit, both mentally and physically, for the work ahead!
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It Works!
I’m feeling young again!
Forget the intervening decades.
I remember how good it feels to be active. Strong!
I reject, “I’m tired!”
Instead, I repeat my mantra — “This is easy. I can do this!”
I visualize myself just getting up and going — doing a mental rehearsal of the actions needed . . .
“I am strong! I am flexible!” I hear myself say.
Next, I’m up and doing!
Taking action without hesitation — mind over matter — strength over weakness.
In doing so, I feel myself actually gaining muscle.
I see myself standing straighter, with a lilt to my step . . . (posture — it’s one of the keys!)
I watch myself hop up and quickly accomplish what’s required of me, with less mental baggage.
Momentum and strength growing!
I find myself choosing food and supplements that help me gain power and endurance, vs. bogging me down. (See my post My Body is a Workhorse for more health strategies.)
“This is Easy! I can Do This!”
It’s true!
We do have an amazing ability to create our own reality. Good or bad. Weak or strong.
So let’s choose strength over weakness, and get out there and get the work done :))
Loving it!
DawnHoof
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Copyright 2024
Photographs: Dawn Jenkins
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Please come over to Dawn’s Life blog — Journal of Dawn — for Strategies and Insights into the Journey of Life from the vantage point of a Lady Farrier.
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