Embracing A Break from the Hustle and Bustle
In July I was given the opportunity to speak at the Small Business Center. The topic was Doing Business in Onslow! Although I was nervous, it was a great success.
I spoke on the topic twice, in the morning and evening, during my morning session I meet a lovely couple, Laura and Roger. They wanted a follow up to discuss how to grow their business through the Chamber and other resources. We set a date. Well that date came and went....twice.
Today was “the third time is a charm” date and I almost let the hustle and bustle keep me from such a wonderful experience! Laura invited me out to their home, she said “we will love to have you out to meet the horses and go for a ride”. I agreed.
Today around 4:30...I took a 26 min ride out to an experience that made me appreciate life more, realize that the hustle and bustle can wait a minute, remain humble at all times, and embrace the sereneness of this little neighborhood.
Always remain humble and embrace opportunities to step outside the box.
This hidden jewel in Jacksonville was off a gravel road, past a farm, and through the woods. I got lost and pulled over waiting for Laura’s text. A older couple pulled up, “are you lost?”....”yes, I am”, I said as I gave them the address that I was looking for.
“We know where that is, follow us in.” I made a u-turn and followed the big red truck, shortly after I saw Laura appear from behind her tiny camper waving me down...”I’m so glad you made it out”. I parked and the experience began.
I watched and listened to her stories as she prepared the horses for our ride...this place was so calming and I forgot about my clutter brain. Her husband, Roger greeted me with a hug and cold drink. She introduced me to Ringo, and I loved on him so that he would feel comfortable during the ride.
It takes talent to ride a horse....Ringo and I.....uh yeah....we didn’t make it out yard! 😂😂😂 I know he felt my nervousness, but he was such a gentleman and remained calmed. He was quite comfortable too....that Ringo. So comfortable he took a poop....🙄😂😂😂. It takes all muscle groups to ride a dang ole horse....I promised Laura that I will keep trying and one day we will make it out the yard! We put the horses back and she invited me in.
As she begin to apologize for her tiny home, I immediately stopped her. Ya see to me, her home was perfect, as long as it is perfect for her. I could see that she was comfortable in her own skin, with her long shorts, over sized shirt and gray fly aways in her pulled back hair...she is perfect.
I assured her that I was just fine...”Laura, I know I pulled up, polished, hair slick back in a bun, glasses and in a BMW...but trust me, I grew up in a small town where my papa was a mechanic and taught me how to change tires and the oil. We rode bikes at sunset, I got dirty, made mud pies and rolled down hills into ant beds. I picked pecans off trees, ate snow cones and big pickles with now and later candy in the center.” We chuckled and a beautiful friendship was born!
She mentioned the class...”You had everyone so engaged in that class, how did you do that?”.....”I could never do that “ she said. I said “yes you can, the first step is believing that you can!” I went on to tell her that I was nervous and my biggest concern was bringing value to the class. She reassured me that I did.
Laura is amazing and fascinating. Her experiences in life are fabulous and she is quite a sassy one. Lol! I could have listened to her stories forever. Her happiness is contagious!
Relax & Release
This experience with Laura was just what I needed. It took me away from all the “OMG, I have so much work to do” and put me in a state of relaxation where I just needed to not be needed for a second and be me.
No busy streets, no loud noises, no phones ringing and texting (I left my phone in the car), no emails, no nothing....just me, Laura, the horses, the dogs, the camper neighborhood, the lake, and serenity!
The Lesson:
Let go and have fun
Experience people for who they are
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Be kind and treat others how you want to be treated
Maintain your emotional intelligence
Be willing to help others
Enjoy others’ happiness
Project positivity at all times
Allow others to give to you and don’t block their blessing of giving
Embrace serenity
De-clutter, breathe, relax, repeat
Do me a favor, love yourself and others enough to master this list!
Lashea Cavers, CEO
The original version of this piece was first published on SheServes2.