Equine Therapy

I am in the beginnings of the "What do I want to do with my life?" phase. I have many options open to me, but I am not sure which direction I should take. I was recently directed towards an art school in Georgia called Savannah College of Art and Design. They have a brand new equestrian facility and, supposedly, give equestrian scholarships. I looked at the website but did not find much more than a few pictures of the new barn and a roster. I looked at the majors offered at SCAD. All pertaining to art and design. Duh.

I would love to be a graphic artists or an interior designer but I just don't think that I have the creativity to do something like that. [Well, I have the creativity just not the passion to drive said creativity] Long story short, nothing looked good to me.

Another school I have contemplated seems absolutely perfect for me. Tons of equestrian majors, anything from Equine Sciences to training to barn management. All at Lake Erie College in Ohio. Wait, Ohio? Hmm... I happen to extremely dislike Ohio. I went once for a horse show and swore I would never go back. Lake Erie is out.

All this led me to contemplate what I really want to do and go from there. I would love to be a surgeon but I don't have the brains. Psychiatry appeals to me but then again, I don't have the book smarts to make it through medical school. Maybe Psychology? It seems to fit me better than my other options. Then again, I am not one that enjoys the clinical atmosphere. I would rather be outside 99% of the time.

I have been thinking about this for some time but until recently, it was only a dream. I want to be an Equine Therapist. No, I won't be advising horses on how to cope with new environments or anything like that. I want to use horses as a tool for learning and healing. I want to be a therapist but I want to use horses to help me. There is a certain tranquility around horses that seems to put me into a good mood no matter what. I want to use what I love the most in order to help others.

So here is my grand plan. My parents and I [more like my parents but hey, I'm the inspiration behind it all] own about 40 acres of land with a house, a pond, a swimming pool, several acres of trails, woods, natural springs, a barn and, most importantly, three lovely horses. My barn is being built, but when it is finished, it will be a wonderful place. Of course all of this is being done in time for me to go off to college. My mom wants me to stay near by, I want to experience the world and who knows what goes on in my dad's mind. I want to, one day, turn my barn into a safe-haven for those who need it most.

I have had experience working in a non-profit riding therapy barn and know that I would not want to go that rout. There are too many risks involved, too many precautions and not enough freedom. I also know from experience that I enjoy working with the emotionally challenged children and adolescents more than the ones with physical or mental disabilities.

I would like to try and take the stress and embarrassment out of therapy for older children and teens. I know it can be rough when adults think you need to see a therapist but I also know that, in the proper atmosphere, it could be even enjoyable. I want it to be fun. I want it to be a unique experience that has the ability to really get through to people. I want it to be different. Even adults need that.

I want to eventually have other, smaller animals that are on the same level as the smaller children. There is nothing more intimidating than a horse when you are a mere two feet tall. Or four. Or whatever. Horses are not for everyone, I know. But, they may still want the tranquility that comes with the country. They may want to walk in the woods while having a heart to heart talk or gaze out over the pond while divulging their innermost demons. Maybe they do want the animals to help them. Thats where the miniature donkey comes in. Or the pony. Or the miniature horse. Or the chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, sheep, pigs and whatever else I might take on.

I want to be able to reach out to those who have no hope. Maybe emotionally or financially. Maybe there is a child who needs therapy but his insurance wont cover it. Maybe there is also a businessman who needs a weekend away from the stresses of the city. Part of that businessman's [or woman's] fees would go towards getting that child therapy. In addition to feeding all my therapy animals, of course :]

This is my ideal situation. Using horses and other animals to help people. People helping others who need it the most. I know it sounds very idealistic and unrealistic at best but I want this to become my reality.

This is my dream.

This is why Genetic Engineering might be a good idea.

Earlier today I overheard a conversation concerning the mother who
sold her sons car because she found a bottle of alcohol under the
front seat. Both parties thought the punishment was ridiculous but
only one party seemed to understand why having a bottle of alcohol in
a vehicle is legal.

Middle aged woman: "Have you never heard of the open container law?!"

17 year old guy: "Yeah, but it has a top!"

I seriously fear for the future of our male population.

Going out in Twos.

And, no, I don't mean like Noah's Ark. Or dating. This strange phenomenon is much more serious than either topic of paring. 

My concern is with the recent murders of two separate sets of sisters by their fathers. To add an even more disturbing element to the murders; both crimes seemed to stem from some form of religious practice or belief. 

First, there is the story of the teenaged sisters who were murdered by their father because he supposedly did not like them dating boys or wearing western clothing. Since the family is Muslim, some experts say that the evidence points to an honor killing. The family has denied that the murders were not religious related but given the circumstances, they most likely were to a certain degree.

The second set of sisters who were murdered by their step father were only 8 and 10. The stepfather claimed that he had cast a spell that had gone awry when the police arrived at his burning home and found the sisters' bodies. This also seems to stem from some strange religious practice but the man also sounds like he needs mental help.

These are not the first and, unfortunately, not the last girls to suffer from religion based crimes committed in this country. The messages that theses fathers are sending not only condemns their religion in the public eye, but it also [sort of] sends a message to future generations that it is alright to murder in the name of religion and in order to preserve the family honor. 

All the more reason to wonder if our generation will rise up and defeat the evils that have been created in this world; or will we continue killing in the name of religion? If it is the latter, I do not wish to live to see the day. Put me out of my misery, please.

   

SADDs? Or just sad?

There's something about this time of year that really gets to me. I don't want do to anything but sleep and eat. What's new, right? Well now it's worse than any other time of year. I first noticed that my depression hits about this time of year when I was in 7th grade but who knows how long it had been going on before that. The weird thing about it is that I love winter. Something about the cold, the ice and the prospect of snow that lies just beyond my grasp.

It's probably school. Something about the fact that you're halfway done but it feels like a lifetime. So much pressure. It's like everything you do at this point dictates the rest of your life. It's a wonder more teens and 20-somethings don't commit suicide. The pressure from parents and teachers and any other relative figure is overwhelming. And if I want to have any sort of future, I have to continue my suicidal rush towards graduation, life and certain death. Depressing, eh? Well I certainly thing so.

Times like this make me wonder how many others feel this way. Desperate. Depressed. Suicidal. Pointless.

Don't mind me, just my depressing thoughts of the day. Have fun!

Early Atheism

To set things straight from the beginning, I consider myself to be an open minded atheist. I do not believe in a god nor do I believe that religion is good. Although I am not a fan of the religious set, I don't mind them at all as long as they keep their lives outside of the church secular. This is a diverse and complex world we live in, no matter where you go. Carrying such a belief with you and pushing it on anyone [close friends included] is not the best way to make [and keep] friends. But thats beside the point.

Although I was not raised christian per-se, I still grew up around others who attended church regularly and insisted that I go when I was over on a Sunday morning. That being said, I had a vague knowledge of heaven and hell, god and the devil and the ever mysterious Jesus. From the time I was able to form my own opinions, I knew that I did not believe in christianity. 

My parents vaguely knew of my disbelief, as they shared them as well. My dad always told me to tell the kids at school I went to a certain church so I wouldn't be shunned and ridiculed. For a while, I played along but I got tired of lying to friend after friend. Why should you have to lie about your religious views in order to be accepted? It was ridiculous. Then one day, when asked, "What church do you go to?" I responded with the blunt and to the point reply, "I don't". That was that, enough said, the friend moved on; most likely too shocked for words.

And so, this long-winded yet brief story of my own childhood atheistic beliefs brings me to my point. I think children, when left to make their own decisions, are often the best at deciphering the truth. I don't think that I could explain it better than a 12 year old girl named Morgan. In an interview with the Black Sun Journal, this pre-teen girl openly explains her views and exhibits a firm grasp of atheism that I could have only dreamed about at such a vulnerable age. All in all, this blog post deserves to be read by atheists and christians alike in order to peer into the minds of our future.