#3 Choose Your Response

"Rosalyn! Get up! The horse is loose!"
I bolted upright in bed, and squinted at the clock. 6:50 am. On my first sleep-in Saturday in months. 

First response?

"Are you #@$@ kidding me??!!" 

I rushed around throwing on clothes and boots, racing to get the grain bucket, while Tom ran to get the halter and lead rope. I stepped out onto the porch, and the brisk 17 degree air slapped me in face. I let out a piercing whistle one, two, three times, mentally apologizing to my neighbors. 

We ran to the car and my husband backed it into the turnaround, and then... Hans, my huge haflinger gelding, came galloping up the driveway (looking gorgeous, I might add), ears pointed forward with an 'Oh boy! Oh boy! GRAIN!!!' expression on his face. 

In the minutes that followed, Hans was soon safely back in his pen, and I began my walk around the pasture, looking for the break in the fence. As much as I wanted to stay angry, I began to see the beauty of the sunshine on the snow and ice. I didn't feel quite so cold as I began to move around. I had a moment of deep appreciation for my husband, who was willing to be late for his own plans, to help me. I said a moment of 'thanks' for the obedient horse who came to a whistle, and gave myself a mental pat on the back for taking the time to teach him. 

I came back into the house and had a bit of a smile as I reflected at how quickly I went from feeling angry and frustrated to peaceful and grateful. 

Sure, I could have chosen to stay angry about my jolt into morning. But all around me was beauty - my breathtakingly beautiful horse, white mane and tail streaming behind him; training techniques validated; my willing, helpful husband; sunshine glistening on the winter landscape; and a hot cup of tea at my kitchen table. 

Friends - when we choose, over and over, to move our thoughts from the negative to the positive, our entire lives change. The bible calls it being:

 "...transformed by a renewal of your minds...'"(Romans 12:2)

When we choose our thoughts, our lives follow. As we move through our 28-day mind detox, I challenge you to choose to replace your negative thoughts with positive responses, and experience peace.