The Story behind the Horse with Wings

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Many years ago, while working as a graduate teaching assistant at Kansas State University, I made friends with another graduate student Debra, who was from New Zealand. I loved her accent and the way she looked at the world as it was a bit different from my view. One day while we sat in our office, casually talking about …I can't remember what exactly…she shared 7 words with me.

These words, she told me, had always helped her remember that she had the power to change things in her life, things that weren't working. And the words were: If the horse is dead, get off. A dead horse? I didn't understand.

However, I quickly became aware of the importance of those words. And over the years I have shared those words with every student I have taught and with everyone who needed to hear that yes, indeed, we all have the power to make changes in our lives. If something isn't working, then change.

That first step, getting off of a dead horse, is the hardest step by far! It's a risk because we don't know what is waiting for us. We know that we are on the wrong path (riding a dead horse) but won't make a change, because we are afraid. I've modified the saying for the work I do today, and also because I am a horse lover and couldn't continue to visual a dead horse. I hope this horse with wings will help you believe in the power of self change - the power of you. So, if the horse you are riding won't move, won't go forward, and you know it's not good for you any more, fly then upon the wings of change.

Christine