Dark Horse

I once read wonderful book called Chop Wood Carry Water. I recommend it to just about everyone who is looking for a way to find some spiritual enlightenment in day-to-day life. Because even the highest order of monks who have devoted their lives to attaining spiritual oneness still have to chop wood and carry water to contribute to their monastery.

Today just happens to be the last day of summer. Gee I couldn’t tell…. I fed hay in the dark this morning and it was 37 degrees out, hence my title of this blog! Tonight is also a full moon. Whatever you started two weeks ago you can now close out of tonight and say your thanks. If your me you were wallowing two weeks ago and today I’m stepping clear of that nonsense and moving on!

Back to my point. Not many people ACTUALLY split the wood that heats their homes. Granted we have boiler heat too but on cold days like today, a fire drives away the chill in the air. I have found that it’s NOT currently on the doctor’s approved list of exercises for my body, but after splitting wood I feel incredibly clear mentally. Another little task of mine as I go on through my day is to practice clarity. My larger goal with all this clarity practice is to be a better rider, ok so I’d like to be a better human being as well but riding is really the big motivator here.

When you start to keep tabs on your clarity as you move through your day and track your thoughts you can be ashamed of yourself. Actually I encourage you to be ashamed because I am and I need company. How many times in your day are you actually thinking about what you are doing and being aware of your bodies movements from start to finish. When splitting wood for example, I make sure my feet are firmly planted, as I raise the ax I breath in, and I exhale as I lower it, all the while focusing on where the ax needs to fall and imagining the wood splitting as it should in one strike. I rarely split in one strike but I have noticed if my mind fades it takes me several strikes.

Can you imagine if every task you did you were 100% in the moment? Especially if you’re a rider!!! I’m pretty sure your thousand pound flight animal would appreciate it if you paid attention up there.

Now that I’ve snuck this break to blog about my day I need to get back out to the woodpile. The boss will be home soon and as most of you know. A good Alaskan wife is not measured by just her beauty, she’s measured by how many fish she can catch and filet, and how much wood she can split.
Until next time Arete in all that you do.

Dark Horse The life and times of a meditative horse trainer. I'm a second generation born and raised Alaskan. I've very proud of that, my roots are here. While I want to see as much of the world as I can, I want to raise my children here. I'm a dedicated student of the horse, of life and I love to learn. I try to leave no stone unturned in my life. Nothing is good if taken at just face value there is always more, to people, an animal, a thought, a dream. I'm an intensity junky, I live my life with passion as if every action were my very last, and I love the colors that this passion has brought to me. It's my hope to share this small window of myself with my readers. If you surfed in please make yourself at home and stay a while, if your one of my loved one's who are here, I love you for all you have educated me in to make my life this amazing.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2008-09-15 2:07 PM Zen and the Art of Splitting Firewood I once read wonderful book called Chop Wood Carry Water. I recommend it to just about everyone who is looking for a way to find some spiritual enlightenment in day-to-day life. Because even the highest order of monks who have devoted their lives to attaining spiritual oneness still have to chop wood and carry water to contribute to their monastery. Today just happens to be the last day of summer. Gee I couldn’t tell…. I fed hay in the dark this morning and it was 37 degrees out, hence my title of this blog! Tonight is also a full moon. Whatever you started two weeks ago you can now close out of tonight and say your thanks. If your me you were wallowing two weeks ago and today I’m stepping clear of that nonsense and moving on! Back to my point. Not many people ACTUALLY split the wood that heats their homes. Granted we have boiler heat too but on cold days like today, a fire drives away the chill in the air. I have found that it’s NOT currently on the doctor’s approved list of exercises for my body, but after splitting wood I feel incredibly clear mentally. Another little task of mine as I go on through my day is to practice clarity. My larger goal with all this clarity practice is to be a better rider, ok so I’d like to be a better human being as well but riding is really the big motivator here. When you start to keep tabs on your clarity as you move through your day and track your thoughts you can be ashamed of yourself. Actually I encourage you to be ashamed because I am and I need company. How many times in your day are you actually thinking about what you are doing and being aware of your bodies movements from start to finish. When splitting wood for example, I make sure my feet are firmly planted, as I raise the ax I breath in, and I exhale as I lower it, all the while focusing on where the ax needs to fall and imagining the wood splitting as it should in one strike. I rarely split in one strike but I have noticed if my mind fades it takes me several strikes. Can you imagine if every task you did you were 100% in the moment? Especially if you’re a rider!!! I’m pretty sure your thousand pound flight animal would appreciate it if you paid attention up there. Now that I’ve snuck this break to blog about my day I need to get back out to the woodpile. The boss will be home soon and as most of you know. A good Alaskan wife is not measured by just her beauty, she’s measured by how many fish she can catch and filet, and how much wood she can split. Until next time Arete in all that you do. Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top