This morning I am listening to the Mel Robbins podcast, and learning about life lessons to learn from elderly people. What if you could travel back in time and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give? I would have definitely told my younger self to demand more for myself, so that I could work less, and enjoy life more, as I spent so much of my younger years working, working, working, because I thought I had to. I had no one to show me how to work smarter, not harder. I would have said you are worth it. But, I would not have believed it anyway.

But I can listen to the advice being given to me by this professor who has studied the lives of hundreds of elderly people. And my primary take away is that so many people regret not spending more time with the people they love, worrying over things for which they have no control (instead make plans), and traveling. The travel doesn’t have to be far, just getting out of your comfort zone for short periods of time, to gain a new perspective. All seems like sound advice.

What seems like good business advice I have received, is to go live on social media once a day for a year, so that you can find your voice and others can get to know who and what you are all about. I have been doing that for nearly 2 weeks now and it is certainly pushing me out of my comfort zone. But I do know that only by getting out of your comfort zone (like the travel advice) is the only way we can grow and expand as people. It feels like a little gremlin on my shoulder that I must feed now everyday. And everyday I wonder if feeding it is worth the effort and stress. Why did I add one more task to my daily to-do list? I have to remind myself I did it because I believe in the value of the teachings of the people who taught it to me. And I do it visualizing that next semi load of hay sitting in the driveway ensuring the horses have more than enough to eat in this cold weather.

Today I am grateful we still have at least some hay, so getting more is not absolutely imminent. I am glad my kids, dogs, family, mother, and other animals are all healthy and happy and seem to be doing ok despite this frigid weather. It was 12 F when I woke up early today, that is chilly for sure! I am grateful I have more shelter for the horses than last winter, and I am grateful we have wood shavings for them to stand in so their hooves are not always on the cold, icy ground. Right now, that is about all I can do for them. I wish I had a heated barn and stalls for each of them to spend the night in. And that wish is why I listen to podcasts every day, and read books, and strive and strive in order to give them the next level of comfortable life. Why? Because of all that animals have done, and still do, for me. Animals have been what have helped me make it though some very dark times in my life. And, they have no choices of their own. Who they live with. What kind of housing or treatment, or food, they get. So it gives me purpose, and a reason to try to give back to them, a small portion of what they have done for me. I am grateful for that.

Today, I hope you will reflect for a moment on what advice you would give your younger self, and what advice your future self might give to you, today, as we begin this first day of December, 2025. Only one month left in this year, and Christmas is right around the corner. And that means one thing…Santa Claus!!! Today we will be getting our decorations all ready for spending the day with Santa! We hope to see you! If you have not signed up yet, please copy and paste this link into a new browser and secure your spot now https://www.resqranch.org/pet-pics-with-santa-signup

And won’t you please consider a monthly donation to our rescue, so we can continue to provide a good loving forever home for these aging horses, and a place where animal lovers of all ages and abilities can come find community, acceptance, and the soft nuzzle of a horse (or donkey). https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/Resqranch

​Looking forward to seeing YOU at Pet Pictures with Santa! Come to Conifer Saturday to check out the Sci on the Fly van, or come to the ranch Sunday and get your picture taken with Mr. Donkey! We can’t wait to see you, enjoy the day you Animal Loving Angel!

Check out my YouTube channel for a daily "Good Morning!" from the rescues and lots of free tips and training resources. https://www.youtube.com/@the1drq