Re: Fw: RC: endurance prospect, etc.

[Sue Brown <sbrown@wamedes.com>]

Pat said:
>I would suggest that if you truly have that attitude about learning, you
>will be the loser for it. I have already posted my views with reference to
>this subject but feel that it is so important to point out that whether Tom
>can ride around the block while being led is not at all a test of the
>contribution he can bring to "the care and feeding of the horse" or better
>the "training and supplementing of the equine athlete". So even if you are
>put off by his style, try to look beyond that and get the information that
>he so unselfishly offers. At least give yourself the opportunity to pick
>what you can use and leave the rest. 

Well said, Pat.  This is good philosophy to remember all of the time.  If
you are going to excel in whatever sport/vocation/etc. that you have
chosen, you have to spend most of the time with your eyes, ears, and mind
open...and your mouth shut.  When you get to the point where you are
starting to be considered "knowledgeable" in your chosen area, you can open
your mouth a little more often...but don't close anything else! ;-)  There
is always more to learn about anything...and when you think you about know
it all, you look for other aspects of life and other opinions that might
influence your expertise.  

The first year I went to NJ for the ARICP convention I went thinking I knew
a fair amount about riding and teaching...then I got to know some of the
ARICP staff and lecturers and found out how *little* I did know!  It was an
intimidating yet inspirational experience!  A year later (and hundreds of
hours of studying and practice) I felt a bit better.  The third year (this
last year when I took my exams) I felt I could honestly be counted as one
of the group...not anywhere near the level of the lecturers and such, but
comfortable enough with my knowledge as to not be intimidated by the level
of expertise standing next to me.  And then I went home and back to
studying...I know I'll never live long enough to learn as much as I want
to, but while I'm alive I don't waste one opportunity!  

There are a *lot* of people that have said some things that I don't agree
with -- so I take what I like from them and leave the rest...well,
actually, file it away in the "remember *not* to do" bank.  If someone has
a point that you don't agree with, it doesn't mean that it's ALL not going
to be to your liking.  If you don't like the persons personality or their
mannerisms or think them rude and boorish, ignore that part (or better,
find some humor in it) and take the info.  Many times (when dealing with
some difficult people in my life -- especially surgeons) I've had to remind
myself to learn what I can and be very glad I don't have to go home with
him (or her) at night!  ;-)

As a teacher, I run into people all of the time that tell me that they have
xx months of experience or, say, 10 years of riding experience...when
they've actually had 1 year of riding experience 10 times!  They learned a
little bit and stopped.  They feel comfortable in their realm and didn't
feel the need for, or have any desire for, any further education.  These
people are more difficult than the total newbies because they have quit
wanting to learn...and they hold steadfast to the few, sometimes bad or
inappropriate, methods that they first learned.  Ego starts to enter in and
fills the void where knowledge should go...and knowledge is weird -- the
world is changing so fast that what was a lot before is pittance now...and
becoming more piddly by the second...and what was gospel before is not
applicable now or has been found to be bad after further research.  Some of
the crankiest old curmudgeons I've known I sit awe of in respect to their
knowledge and levels of expertise.  Look past the surface of the grumpy old
men (and women <g>) and get their knowledge.   Ask questions, dig deeper.
Sift and sort.  Ignore the packaging..it's only carrying the information. ;-)

Off my well worn soapbox now! <bg>

Sue  

sbrown@wamedes.com
Tyee Farm
Marysville, Wa.