What Defines You?

My view on life is that it is a Journey. My life and the way I live my life changes as I go through my journey. I don't let anything "define" me except the fact that I am married to my husband and I have two children that I am a Mother to. The husband part will never change. I guess I'm from the old school that marriage really means a lifetime commitment and he will be my husband forever. Knowing that my husband feels the same is what made marrying him an extra bonus. I don't think I would have ever been married unless I fell in love with someone of the same mind. As for the kid part, I hear in the early teens they may feel like they don't need a mother anymore, however they can't shake me that easily. I am forever their mother and I will remind them of that throughout their teen years and beyond if necessary! For now, at the ripe old ages of 4 & 6 they tell me they'll live with me forever and that's just fine with me! Other than that, my journey keeps me constantly on my toes and I like that!
Too many times I meet people who hold positions in an organization, club or business and you can tell they'd be lost without being in that position. They let their position define them. I've seen it happen all too many times. Some plan it and want to be defined by their position because they want the power it brings, others have just been involved for so long they don't know how to not be involved. Either way, it's unhealthy. It's unhealthy for both the individual and the business, club or organization.
I'm involved in lots of different positions, committees and jobs. I am 1st Vice-President of the NH Quarter Horse Association, Youth Advisor, By-Law Committee co-chair, Versatile Horse Committee co-chair, Membership Committee co-chair, Nomination Committee co-chair, AQHA Region 6 Director, AQHA Region 6 Versatile Horse Committee Chair a member of the AQHA Leadership 2008 Team and a Daisy Girl Scout Co-Leader ! Whew! Hope I didn't forget anything. I am involved in all of the above for different reasons but it all comes back to this - I'm in the position to work it and make it better so the next person who steps in can work it more and continue to grow the organization, business or club from their accomplishments - and so on. It is the people who enter into a commitment and have no foresight into their future journey except still holding on to that position who let the wrong things define them. When they eventually leave or are "dismissed" from their position, it can be so wrenching because they haven't looked past being "that person". They don't know what to do. It's destructive to them personally and professionally and disrupts many more than just themselves.
Today we saw a President leave office. He held office for 2 terms, 8 years and it was his time to go. Now the Country has a new beginning. If we leave ourselves open to our journey who knows where we'll end up. I'm looking forward to passing along some of my positions to others and feel excited to see what a new view will bring. By leaving myself open to many opportunities my Journey is and has been an exciting one. My job and volunteer positions will never define me, I have too much to do yet in my life. So what defines you?

How it is.....REALLY

This past Christmas season has brought many new faces into my store and many familiar faces too. One of the most popular questions from all of my customers is "how is business". Now you see, the question isn't just asked. There is always a negative sound in the voice of those asking. I guess because these days we're all filled with doom and gloom from the radio and television, so it's easy to pick up on that mantra. I really enjoy my customers and many come here because they enjoy me, I'd hope anyway! So when the question is asked I can tell they're ready to chime in with some cheer even though they ask with a bit of hesitation. Many are rendered speechless when I answer, "It's fine actually. Yes, we've had to make some changes. I'm in more and some employee hours have been cut, but by doing so we're in ok shape and expect to remain in ok shape until things turn around a bit and become fantastic!" Once the customer loosens up and realizes a bit of cheering up isn't necessary we chat and catch up. One of the bonuses about my store is I not only carry western tack but also western clothing and boots. Clothing and boots sell all year long and the winter is no exception. If I had to rely on tack sales alone my customers would have quite a cheering up job to do when they walked in, if there was even a place to still walk into. I'm one of the fortunate ones, or maybe even one of the smart ones (ok hubby, you get credit for this one too!). By having both tack and clothes I'm able to make sales year round. There is no "down time" so even though sales aren't what they were a year ago, they're still there and more than enough for us to weather this storm. I look forward to Spring when tack sales will increase again and we're back in the thick of it.
But for now things are fine.......REALLY!

Yes, I am High Point NH !

In 2008, I won the title of NH High Point Cowgirl in Cowboy Mounted Shooting. This is very exciting for me and quite a nice title to hold. I wasn't even going for a High Point win. With two young children, my husband and I don't travel far to many shoots and therefore aren't as competitive as many other shooters. There are some who will travel to all the shoots in New England and even further "chasing points". For now, the only things we chase are named Lexington and Liberty, age 4 & 6. That's fine with us. This is the family time in our lives and there is absolutely nothing more important than our children. For now we try to make every NH shoot and some in Mass. We love winning the State Championships and Regional's in our levels, which both my husband and I have done numerous times, and proudly wear the buckles we win. So when I realized I was heading toward a High Point Cowgirl win I started to get excited. Unfortunately, there were ladies "chasing points" in NH and my win sort of took them by surprise. There have been no congratulations, no "good job"s, only disappointed riders who are explaining away why they didn't win this year, but should have. There were jammed guns, cancelled matches, bad weather, off days. Actually, people are doing exactly what my husband does after each shoot. He will pick through the results of each stage, his time, how many misses, and quickly point out that his time was better than so and so's and he would have beat him in that stage if he hadn't missed the balloon, which would have put him ahead of him so in REALITY... he would have won!! There! Now he feels better. Until I gently remind him that he DIDN'T ride clean and "what if's" don't count in Mounted Shooting. Once I've lovingly burst his bubble I remind him that the results should show him how he can improve so the next time he will actually beat so and so and not have to "excuse it to happen".
The reason I took High Point this year is simple. I was consistent. Not always the fastest, not always the cleanest shot, but consistent. One of the things I love about Mounted Shooting (aside from the cool clothes) is that it's not always the fastest or the best shot that wins, it's the one who combines all their skills the best. And this year I did just that. There are many that ride faster than I do. There are many that are better shots or have more experience. But this year, in 2008,I had the most overall points of the Cowgirls in NH. It was my year, no excuses.
My theory behind improving is to go at the speed in which you can get all the shots and build your speed from there. In my third year of competing I'm getting faster and I've always been a good shot because I go the speed in which I can shoot, usually clean. Therefore I'm consistent and consistently getting faster. That's why I won. And to all you nay sayers, I deserved it!! It get's tiring hearing why people didn't win and getting the feeling that many believe I didn't deserve it. It takes away from those of us who did win and deserve feeling proud of their title. So for the entire year of 2009, I will proudly bear the title of High Point New Hampshire Cowgirl in 2008 and this year, I'll work on defending my title!!!