Today Is May Day
A time historically rooted in celebration, rebirth, and honoring the beauty that Mother Earth so generously offers. As equine-assisted practitioners, we are blessed with daily invitations to slow down and reconnect through the natural world—often led by the quiet, grounding wisdom of our horses.
I’ve just returned from France, a trip that, once again, left me changed. Every time I visit France, my life transforms on some front. Among the most moving stops was Claude Monet’s home and gardens. As I wandered through the flower-lined paths, crossed the famous (though not yet blooming) bridge, and stood still in the vibrant chaos of color and texture, I realized something profound: Monet didn’t just paint beauty—he planted it.
He had a method of arranging his gardens so that something was always in bloom. The artistry began in the soil long before it touched a canvas. And it struck me—this is exactly what we do in our work with horses. We create space. We plant seeds. We cultivate moments of bloom for the clients who cross our paths.
So, inspired by Monet (and to my husband's slight dismay), we’re ripping out shrubs at home and replacing them with bursts of floral color. I'm also planting herbs next to one of the horse pastures—because, as I learned from the French, fresh herbs should always be close at hand. There's something deeply grounding and satisfying about that.
But here's the real message for us practitioners: Inspiration needs space. It was only when I stepped away from the grind, hit "pause" on the daily to-do list, and allowed myself to be immersed in something beautiful and slow, that new business ideas and clarity began to flow.
This month, I invite you to do the same.
- Plant something—literally or metaphorically.
- Let your horses lead you back to the rhythm of the natural world.
- Give your nervous system a break.
- Create space for new insights to bloom.
Whether you’re building your practice, nurturing your herd, or simply managing the dance of life and business—remember this: Less really can be more.
And maybe, just maybe, start planning your own inspirational adventure. France keeps shifting my life for the better. I might just pencil in my next trip today.
Thank you for the gift of inspiration France!
With blooming thoughts,
Lora
P.S. The banner photo is one of the pics I snapped at Monet's place. According to the tour guide, Monet was somewhat cantankerous about things being situated just so. Hmmmmm...what can we learn from that?