I Hit a Horse in Jamaica...

That's a sentence I never thought I'd write...it sounds like the opening bit of a comedy sketch, yet it's 100% true.

Last week, my husband and I flew to Jamaica to vacation there for several days. We'd never been there, and were very much looking forward to spending some decompression time on this gorgeous, lush island.

We'd arranged for someone to pick us up at the airport in Montego Bay and drive us to where we'd be staying at a friend's house. While it was only around 6pm, it was already pitch dark on this two lane road.

We were sitting in the back seat of the van- I was directly behind the driver's seat. Note that Jamaica is a British colony, so they drive on the opposite side of the road from those of us in the states, and the driver's side of the vehicle is also on the opposite side. My position behind the driver blocked my view of what was about to happen...

...All of a sudden, my husband starts yelling, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, look out!" (The 'whoa' is not intended as a pun, although it's highly ironic!). In the next second, a huge white blur streaks across the windshield, and we come to an abrupt stop.

"What happened???" I asked.

"We hit a horse!"

"Wait, what??? A horse? Is everyone okay?" I inquired of my husband and our van driver.

Everyone in the van was unharmed.

I looked out of the shattered windshield, and sure enough, there lying on the pavement was a huge horse. In the picture below, you can see the dent in the hood of the van- note how high up it is, to give you an idea of the size of the animal. I found myself welling up with tears...I never want see or be a part of any animal being injured, let alone a horse.

Yet miraculously, just a few moments later, the horse got up from the pavement, did a quick shake, and trotted off somewhere.

We hopped out of the van and stood on the side of the road waiting for help to arrive, which it did. In just a few minutes, there were so many people who had stopped to assist us, and even though our accident had virtually blocked both lanes of this very busy two-lane road, no one was honking or yelling, or appeared frustrated with us- quite the opposite. A very different experience than often happens stateside, I'm sad to say.

In less than 10 minutes, another van driver appeared to take us the last few meters to our vacation spot, and our drama was over. We went on to enjoy many days of brilliant blue skies, abundant sunshine, great hospitality, and lots of fun.

I'm sharing my story for reasons perhaps not anticipated. Yes, life often brings unexpected interruptions to our everyday routines, and we should learn to 'expect the unexpected'. You've likely heard the phrase, 'Life is what happens while we're busy making plans'.

Yet, that's not my primary purpose in telling you this story. I was much more impacted by the resilience of the horse in all of this. I would have guessed that we'd have been facing a lame or severely injured animal, given the damage to the van. Later the next day, we received confirmation from the horse's owner that the horse was indeed okay.

As I thought about this experience over the next several days, I was intruiged by the parallels and distinctions between the resilience in animals and that of we humans.

While the horse's ability to recover and trot away after being hit by a van is remarkable, it serves as a metaphor for the even greater resilience that humans possess in the face of setbacks and disappointments.

1. Physical and Emotional Recovery: Just as the horse physically recovered from an unexpected and potentially traumatic event, humans have the capacity to recover from both physical and emotional challenges. However, human resilience goes beyond physical recovery; it involves the ability to emotionally and mentally overcome adversity, learn from experiences, and grow stronger.
2. Adaptability in Diverse Situations: The horse's instinctual reaction to shake off the incident and move on mirrors how humans adapt to a wide range of situations. Humans face diverse challenges, from personal loss and emotional traumas to professional setbacks. The ability to adapt, change course, and continue forward is a hallmark of human resilience.
3. Support Systems and Community: In my story, the local community's response to the accident reflects the importance of support systems in human resilience. Humans often rely on a network of family, friends, and even strangers during tough times. This support is crucial for recovery and growth, much like the community assistance we received in the aftermath of the incident.
4. Learning and Growth from Experiences: Unlike the horse, humans have the ability to reflect on their experiences, learn from them, and use those lessons to grow. Setbacks and disappointments often serve as catalysts for personal development, leading to increased strength, wisdom, and resilience.
5. Emotional Depth and Coping Mechanisms: Humans experience a wide range of emotions and have developed various coping mechanisms to deal with stress, trauma, and disappointment. The ability to process emotions, seek help when needed, and apply coping strategies is a significant aspect of human resilience.

In essence, while the horse's recovery is a powerful example of natural resilience, it pales in comparison to the multifaceted resilience of humans. Human resilience encompasses not only physical recovery but also emotional strength, adaptability, learning, and growth. It's a testament to our ability to face life's challenges, learn from them, and emerge stronger and wiser.

You are stronger and wiser and more resilient than perhaps you ever give yourself credit for. Lean in. Embrace that inner strength. Find the resilience in adversity. Surround yourself with people who support and believe in you. Know with confidence that whatever comes your way in 2024, you can and will conquer.

All my best,

Deb

Deb Dredden

Founder, Deb Dredden Transformational Coaching

Founding Member / Faculty,??Conscious Coaching Academy

949.939.2577

Choice Is Your SuperPower!?

Deb Dredden Transformational Coaching

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