I couldn’t ask for a more lovely Midsummer start. Madame and I went for a lovely walk
among the apple trees and the sky was clear blue. Birds chirping, bees buzzing. While Madame ate grass I listen to Sommar i P1, every day different well-known Swedish people talk and tell a story from their own lives.
A wonderful tradition which makes it feels like being home a summer day in Stockholm.
The horse was an âover-thinkerâ, afraid of doing wrong. Disappointments from the former owner in life had been born after numerous downhills after many successful tournaments in the past. The horse learned that if she didnât make it, she would be put into her box. She felt safe there. The mare was anxious on the inside, however, calm and collected on the outside. (Just like her owner)
âWhen you speak the commandos I donât think, there is no room for anxious thoughts in my head.â the horse âwhisperedâ
The rider looked at me in surprise.
âItâs the same for you when you have music during studying, so no other thoughts can interfere. Music blocks your inner-thoughts from making an entrance hidden by anxiety and disturbing your focus. You both are sensitive, over-thinkers, talented with mixed beliefs in yourself.â I explained.
Many asks me how come we choose a horse with the same personality as ourselves without actually knowing it.
We are all energies, and most of the time we choose energies we recognize.
In a way you could say, we attract the subconscious into a conscious way.
This could be an explanation why we several times subconsciously chose the same kind of partner, like our parents or, an important key-person in your life.
But the most certain choice of an Animal is the one that mirrors us.
My Weekly column in Magazine NARA, September 2012 Hope you will enjoy reading. Can children teach us more?
BE THANKFUL FOR ALL NEW INSTINCTS;
Children and dogs are often very lovely together, and they have a lot to teach we adults. They demonstrate how to be in the moment, have compassion and enthusiasm, ingenuity, fantasy and ideas.
Children’s natural way of being and their balance with former street dogs is a beautiful play. The kids are thinking a lot and share their wonderful questions, which in turn allow me to look in my mind for the answers. And if I do not find the answer I seek it further later on.
On weekends, there are many children with their parents visiting us at the Hospice. I love watching kids fall down on their knees to get to the same height as the dogs, or small children standing on their tiptoes to give the bigger dogs a kiss on their head.
I love childrenâs compassion towards the elderly clients. Meanwhile, I notice how much that has been forgotten within me. Together with my own two children we are now practicing how to be more in the present and work more on our intuition and our thoughts.
When we eat dinner, we frequently thank for our food, to be grateful and at the same time give thanks to the long path before the food ends up on the plates in front of us. I ask Olivia and Max who we should thank: the earth, the rain, the sun, farmers, transportation, stores, dadâs job, mom’s wallet and the cook.
Besides that we have a lot of fun, it’s also stimulating for me. I noticed with myself how hard I have to get started with my imagination.
A few times a week in the evenings, we experiment with silence. We put ourselves down on the floor for about fifteen minutes and then we say nothing. (Here it is hard for me not to fall asleep!)
Then we talk about what thoughts, smells or any concerns that come up. This is also a good start to learn how to meditate, become aware of our thoughts and to learn to “control” them. But it is also a chance for everyone to think through what is moving around inside us.
Sometimes in life we push away thoughts, forget them or we do not want to remember. And over time, it might be difficult to talk about the suppressed thoughts.
Many years ago I met a happy little guy who understood that I could communicate with animals. He knew that it was through the thoughts that communication took place.
We were with my dog Tjojs when the little guy told me he had bought a gift for Tjojs, but he would whisper it to me what it was, or Tjojs could hear it. “You are not allowed to think about it, because then Tjojs will âhearâ it!” the little guy said. But he was disappointed. He had thought about the gift to Tjojs, and expected that she would jump excitedly, but she never jumped.
Talking with children is amazing. We hear many deep thoughts and we should be able to learn something from their natural approach to life’s mysteries.
Harrison has helped writting and filled in the thoughts we do not know about. He has given us his permission to publish it.
2019 I received a message from a young man about 22 years old asking if AWL was doing some kind of therapy work with horses and humans. Or any kind of volunteer program that had to do together with animals. His psychologist and therapist had recommended he try to find a place where he could find emotional support and find peace of mind together with horses. Harrison visited us over the weekends to walk and care for our Senior rescue horses. All the horses accepted Harrison with his calmness and carrots but especially Oregon. Oregon, a big palomino, which was 30 years old but acted many times like a five-year-old stallion. He could test you by suddenly taking off, dragging you around. Everyone chuckled at the Oregon show. Oregon also loved when you brushed him, that’s when he started with the love bites. Oregon truly tested your patience and love. Like an American football player, he could push his big heavy head into your stomach. However, with Harrison, he was most of the time calm and quiet. Oregon loved him.
My job is not to talk to our volunteers, however, if they want I am always there. The main job is for the person to connect with the horses and her/his emotions and feelings. The purpose is that you are alone, in a quiet harmonious atmosphere together with the horse. You are in the moment, you connect more to your inner thoughts, your heart rate slows down, and your breathing slows down into a deeper rhythm together with the horse and nature.
No iPhones, it stays in the car!
Oregon and Harrison connected quickly and a bond grew between them. I could see Oris waiting for Harrison very hopeful.
Harrison had problems at his workplace, which escalated to other personal matters. It was like the whole world just fell apart. Depression and loneliness grew fast. Harrison was faced with abusive leadership and retaliation for whistleblowing about his toxic leaders.Harrison had been having issues with his personal life to include romantic relationships. Depression, anxiety, a complicated relationship, and new medications had caused him to make a mistake. A mistake that took him months to forgive himself for. A mistake that his command made an unfair, biased, and corrupted decision not based on fact or reality. Feelings, emotions, bullying cannot become justice in a court only made-up facts.
Animals read the truth in the humanâs energy right away. You are accepted if you have an honest, sincere meaning.
Harrison held his head up even though he was dealing with depression, bullying, immaturity, and unprofessional conduct. Harrison ended up being discharged from the Army but continued to visit all the horses especially Oregon until his very last day.Harrison had together with Oregon planned a new future since his thoughts and feelings could be clear. Harrison wanted more than anything to prove to himself more than anyone that he is and was not a monster like he was made out to be.Oregon and Harrison away from dark thoughts and gave him purpose.Harrison sadly had to leave us and went back to America. I received an email that he had started practicum at a veterinarian clinic. And 24 August 2021 he is starting his 2-year college to become a “Certified Veterinary Technician” and eventually a Doctor.
Horses give us courage and directions. Together with them we can go into the silence and hear our desires and goals without no one rolling their eyes back towards us.
Thatâs Amore
We are proud over your Harrison
(note from Harrison,”Everyone else for that matter, and the other horses, and Mia as well helped me”
Powerful brave words from Harrison to our AWL @animalswl rescue-horses project, Hearts in Harmony. đ âYou have my permission to use my name as well as anything else you feel should be included. I don’t mind speaking every ounce of my truth whether embarrassing or traumatic. I believe it can only be helpful to both myself and anyone else who needs to see that they are not alone. I will endure feeling shame if it means that I am honest, and I will always be honestâŠI truly feel keeping secrets helps no one in the end and only delays healing or repairs.
If you want to refer to me as H that is fine! I just want you to know that I wish to help in any way I can. Also, I love your posts! Most recently the one about evil people can’t always be evil otherwise they couldn’t find victims. Such a great way to point out how evil can persist.â Harrison
Mia Mattsson
Mia Mattsson Mercer 