Turning forty is notorious for causing folks to reflect about their lives. I suppose everyone deals with it in their own way, but I went for a trail ride. People told me Happy Birthday but the horses treated me the same as usual…so I know everything is going to be just fine.
I thought that today’s blog would simply say: I have been blessed, but as I typed the words it just didn’t seem to be enough.
I am not denying that I feel blessed, I feel it so strongly at times that my over whelming desire is to cry and point out that I am not worthy. I am especially prone to this when I hear of someone else struggling; a baby dies, someone has cancer, a car crash takes a life. It makes me weak to think about these things. But it also liberates me.
Why not live now? Why not try now? What if this is the only time I do have?
Some people may be inspired by that thought, but if viewed from another angle, I could argue that it is just a realistic statement.
I have frequently said that, when someone tells me they have been inspired by me, I consider it the highest complement they could give me…but it also humbles me. Sometimes it downright scares me. Because I am just me. And I am far from perfect. But I have been blessed.
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Amen! Happy Birthday to you Stacy and may you have many more blessed years. I love all that you are doing for the horse industry keep up the great work.
40 is AWESOME! by then you are brave enough by then to take everything head on and no longer care what people think, which is why you probably hit the road with your family now. Enjoy every moment.
Thanks for this Blog, I’ve lost three special friends this week, nothing related, but it’s been a kick in the gut. Thanks for helping me think some more… time is short.
Nobody deserves what we get from our King; but I believe He is proud of what you have made of what He gives you!
Jesus!
Dear determined, passionate, brave dreamer,
Blessed you are but more importantly, you’re fully aware of it! That’s what makes the difference between you and a lot of other people. You live your life with wide opened eyes, a heart that says “To all the dreamers out there, I’m happy to share and share and share and this is no joke 😉 that’s the real me”. This authenticity is what makes your connection with horses and humans rich and strong! You say you’re just you and you’re “far from being perfect”. I’d say people aren’t looking for perfect (whatever that is), they’re looking for that combination of courage in attempting to live the wildest dreams and the capacity to putting aside the ego once success is there. You have this combination and so you inspire us and make us all want to walk in your footsteps 🙂
There’s a sentence I had read long ago that makes me think of the kind of thing you would have written…
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”. People behind that door aren’t waiting for anything else but the “you” they know so don’t be scared cause you’re not asked to be or do anything different 😉 Simply Stacy StayYou!
I don’t read all your posts but had to comment on this one – apart from happy birthday, you are a real inspiration, I love that you are such a passionate horsewoman and a passionate christian. Keep on being you, you are wonderfully made!
Understand that we are all Broken Vessels, if not, it is yet down the road. The best way to keep a cracked pot full, is to keep it under the flow. Do you know where to go to be Filled with what you need? Talk to your Creator about it, read His Word, receive His Filling & then spill it out on everyone. Thanks Stacy Westfall for these words, and know that you are a Blessing to many as you allow Him to work His Will through you.
I ride your mounted shooting saddle and I love that I have a small part of such an honorable woman. My heart feels a kindred spirit with you in this post, although I just turned 50!!!
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Hi Stacy, i would like to wish you Happy Birthday. You inspire me because you are living the dream i had as a kid. I am now in my late 40’s and my body it seems doesn’t want me to live this dream at my age. You are truly blessed as am i. i have a loving husband just as you do, i have great kids that are now adults and i am proud of them just as you are proud of your boys. I am also very stubborn and when i put my mind to something i keep going till i either fall asleep or the job gets done, now when i push myself i feel nothing but pain everywhere. Fibromyalgia has changed my life so much, with all the meds i take in the run of the day, i still feel totally blessed. I have a wonderful, beautiful Grand Daughter who like her Grand Mother is crazy about horses, and i feel blessed. Stacy you have inspired thousands of girls and boys to do what you do, It is amazing to me how you can read and understand what a horse is trying to tell us. Riding in reigning competitions with no saddle or bridle is the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. Everytime i watch that competition in 2006 just days after you father passed away i have tears rolling down my face. I feel blessed that i have got to watch all the competitions and the diaries of Jac, who i am sure Roxy would be so proud of him. I am sure you miss them both for different reason’s. You should feel blessed and proud of all of your accomplishments. You have a wonderful family, beautiful horses and a great life. I admire you for so many reasons but as i look back on my life i know i am also blessed, stubborn, emotional ( i wear my heart on my sleeve), and i am afraid also of how much more of my life this Fibromyalgia is going to take. With all these things i know i am happy with my life. Thank you for being so grounded and thank you for the wonderful things you do with horses but most of all thank you for being you.
We all seek true happiness….to feel blessed. Some of us are lucky enough to have looked in the right places.
We all have fears, having the courage to admit that helps us find strength to face those fears and makes us stronger.God bless and keep you as you face those fears and all the work you do that helps others.
You are blessed because you are a good kind loving christian and have a gift !:) I feel just like you sometimes,wait until you hit 50 like I just did!! Enjoy,travel,I did that alone with my horse many many times over the 27 years I had my equine partner..LIVE and watch all the cool doors open for you!!
Happy Birthday Stacy!! To celebrate with one’s horse is a blessing indeed!
Wishing you many, many, many more horse years ahead. You are a true inspiration to horse people of all ages and genders, continued success in learning, growing & believing.
Can’t wait for you to show us what you are up to next 🙂
I do not comment often but I truly enjoy reading all your blogs!!! Every night before I go to bed I check to see what you have written. You have given me a lot of inspiration and I love reading about your stories, adventures and motivational quotes. Keep them coming!!!
Because, YOU are one of GODs creatures, and you are one of his loved ones <3 I thank him every morning before I get out of bed, Thank you for letting me wake up one more day. Keep up the good work, and God Bless you; and your family, including the ponies (horses) LOL <3
Happy birthday Stacy! 40 was interesting. 42 was more interesting (a long story), but keep looking fearlessly forward as 50 has been the best so far. I care less about what people think of me, so as a result I am happier. I decided to love the ones I love even more, so I give more hugs (and get more!). My cutting trainer just rolls his eyes at me when I tell him he is my brother from another mother and that I love him. But he grins and hugs me too. At 40 I still felt a little infallible, but at 50, everything hurts a little more. Getting my little mare last fall after 32 years away from horses has been humbling – a very good, very helpful lesson to learn. We are learning reining together – talk about humbling when I don’t have my seat back yet! But being humbled allows me to also be inspired by others such as your self, and several women at my barn (if they can throw their ponies in a trailer and head off to a reining lesson or show, then so can I – starting tomorrow actually). At 50, you are more comfortable with what you know, but often feel like you know less, so every day is a wonderful lesson. Enjoy your 40’s! So long as you have your health, every year gets better and better and you will gain an even better sense of who you are. It’s kinda fun! :). Thank you for being you. As it is on my bucket list to meet you one day, I will see you then! Take care. Hugs to you. Leanne and Sweet Pistolena (aka Rosie).
Guess all your friends and people who know you, know you best. I love their take on it. Next time someone says I’m stubborn I’ll tell them I’m determined and the next time they tell me I’m emotional I’ll tell them I’m passionate. It all depends on how you look at it. 🙂
Because you are pure of heart and you believe in a higher power. You also bring so much to other folks and that my girl is a precious gift. Happy Birthday and God bless you.
You are an Angel.
An Angel to so many souls. You are one of the “Angels among us”. God uses you for great things and you accept that job God gave you and always do your best. We are blessed to have you ♥
Happy Birthday †
Happy Birthday! The Big 4-0 is so liberating, at least it was for me. You have a wonderful husband, three awesome boys, your horses and your career doing something you love, and you do it well. You no longer need to impress anyone because you are who God created you to be. Just the fact that God chose you to serve him is both awesome and humbling. You are blessed because your life brings glory to our awesome God! Thank you for helping us with our horses.
Thank you for been truly you!!
Stacy, clearly you have empathy with horses and the generosity of spirit to attempt to communicate your ability to those of who are not as skilled.That empathy and spirit are what set you apart from most.
For some reason 40 freaked me out. On Halloween this year my son will turn 40 and I think he’s a little stressed. LOL I will be 70 next spring and I’m having the time of my life. Life changes, your outlook changes. Life is a trip, enjoy the ride.
AMEN <3
Stacy, because you are a child of God, you are truly blessed!!!!! I have been following you for years, but when I found out you were a strong Christian, I have admiration for you! I always thank the Lord for you! And you are always in my prayers. God has blessed you!!