“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”-Hemingway
Blogging is hard. Harder than I thought it would be.
I love to write….but the very thing I love about writing I have had to mostly give up in blogging.
I love being thorough….and blogging doesn’t lend it self to that. How do I tell my complete view on a subject in 500 words?
On the flip side…who wants to read a 4,000 word article on a chin strap or some other obscure topic. I might not even want to read it by the time I was done!
And even then someone would have a problem with it.
Because, really deep down that is what I struggle with. People not understanding me.
It hurts.
Notice I didn’t say people agreeing with me. You don’t have to agree with me.
In fact I really want to make people think. That includes me.
I love feedback like this from Lyn, “It is also thought-provoking. If that was your goal with this blog, you have certainly accomplished it.”
Thank you Lyn, and everyone else who is helping me along this journey.
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Stacy: Something to remember when you encounter difficult, mean spirited people in your life: Are these people behaving like this towards Only Me? Usually this type of person goes about their life trying to take other people down, to make themselves feel more important…the Other Person is inconsequential, regardless of their mission or their accomplishments. They do this over and over again, because they are getting something out of it. It’s a form of insecurity.
Look at the bright side, at the end of the day, you are You, and they are stuck with being Them!
I agree with Matt. Don’t let them steal your joy.
If you weren’t doing better than most of us here, why the heck would we be reading this? 🙂
i didn’t see this post earlier, so my comment is late.
there are always ”trolls” out there.
when you are as accomplished as you are–through your own hard work, experience, and education–you become a leader in your field, like it or not. for whatever reason, there are people out there who are jealous or mean-spirited or are simply not as experienced as you and therefore misunderstand your words and actions. it sucks and it hurts, because being misunderstood is SO the opposite of your goals! your purpose of wanting to educate animals and people and accomplish good things in your precious life is valuable beyond words and please don’t lose sight of that in the midst of some of the bald-faced ignorance out there.
as someone else pointed out, the VAST majority of readers out there are the fiercest silent supporters, me included.
one other thing is to realize that what these ‘trolls’ and mean-spirited people are doing has in reality NOTHING to do with you or your actions. it’s all about them–even though it doesn’t feel like that in the moment. that can be a little bit freeing, anyway…
Johanna-thank you for the reminder. Maybe I need to stick something on the wall to keep that thought in front of me. The good thing is that I know I am growing through this.
Dear Stacy:
“Don’t let people steal your joy.” I had a very insightful and balanced staff person say that to me once. When you put yourself “out there”, there’s always someone in the shadow to tear you down. That’s just the way people are (and the reason we love our dogs so much). Taking the lead lays you wide open to criticism. That’s why leadership takes courage and determination and persistence and thick skin. What you GIVE to us “out here” is appreciated more than you’re ever told. We, the silent majority (the vast majority), love you. We love your insight, your experience, your wisdom, and your advice. You don’t hear from us, but we are here . . . . the multitude . . . and we all stand behind you. Don’t let the few bring you down. “Don’t let people steal your joy.” Keep going . . .
Matt
Matt-Thank you. I have bad days like anyone…and I guess all of you will get to hear it! Lol
I will remember that. It reminds me of a quote…that I can’t quite remember at the moment…let me think….
Thanks again for your encouragement.
Wow!! Matt, thanks for writing on behalf of the silent majority. Perfect!!
I just watched a whole bunch of videos recommended by people on another page, of this blog. They all made me appreciate Stacy evan more.
I love your videos. Do you enjoy that part? I love to watch them and it’s easier to understand for me that way.
Mary-I enjoy all of it but it is all a ‘risk’. People often criticize all of it. The video are a TON of work….watching them it looks so easy. Each episode has an average of 15 people hours in it by the time we set up cameras, film, tear down then edit (cut out me blowing my nose, adjust the audio, color correct, add a beginning, add an ending, etc).
I love the information and I agree it is a great format for understanding. Makes me a bit tired just thinking of it though:)
I DO understand you…..I actually prefer to communicate via “type” because I also struggle with expressing rambling thoughts and typing allows me to revise out all the lengthy ramblings and condense it down into something more brief and substantial. You do an absolutely excellent job….I thoroughly enjoy your writings and truly appreciate your allowing all of us a glimpse into your vulnerable heart. You will never know all the lives that your words have touched….all the hearts that you have helped to mend….all the horses that you have touched, through their people. Love you….May God richly bless you!!!
Your articles and stories make me think and reflect on my life and that is why I enjoy reading your blog. You do an excellent job explaining yourself. Thanks for sharing with all of us. It is greatly appreciated.
Ps, you wouldn’t flood a hores with too much information. You would give it just enough to start a thought ( not dictatorship). So the horse has the freedom to make a self conscious choice.
Less is more.
I hope you get my point.
It is very hard to get an idea across. And even though you explain something in 500 words, people reading will sift the words and turn what you said into 501 different ideas. The most common that I have seen over the years is; because a trainer uses a certain piece of equipment that’s the only thing that trains the horse. You have been great with the video diary of Jac showing the WHOLE process then on the blog discussing it. Keep on doing what you do. You have an open door with the blog and people can ask questions if they need to have something clarified.
Sharon, Exactly! And on top of the ‘501 different ideas’….is the idea that just because I showed something DOESN’T mean it is the only way I ever do that one thing! I love the variety in horses and by showing Jac people get an idea of what I do, but it would look modified or different so some extent with another horse.
You are very much like a teacher trying to get the same lesson across to students who do not speak your language and have different ways of learning. With the added challenge of teaching the owners, whose skill level is variable, the same thing so they can communicate with the horse you trained.
I think to be understood is everyone’s dream, but not everyone is conscious of it, like you. It’s much easier to love something if you understand it.
Stacy you are brilliant at explaining yourself. So all the hard work is working.
Thanks for your pure honesty.
[ Smiles ] Blogging doesn’t have to be hard work; the trick is: turning it into an activity that is fun for you!
Write about you bliss and what you would like to read. Thought- provoking is valuable. Keep at it, please.
People not understanding what we say or meant is a springboard for more/better communication provided we can let go of being offended. There is a very fine line between being thick skinned and being calloused and insensitive . No one likes to be criticized in a hurtful manner. The buffer between a thick skin and a defensive calloused demeanor is being able to forgive
Gretta-Well said! I do sometimes walk away for awhile because, like anyone, I can have a bad day and be too thin skinned. It is one of the reasons I put ‘growing’ into the title of the blog…I know it might hurt but I am growing….often in my ability to forgive.