Have you ever had to disassociate with someone or set strong boundaries with family and friends? The people you surround yourself with can have a big impact on your life, especially when it comes to your dreams and goals.
After completing my two-year Equine Gestalt Coaching certification through Touched by a Horse, Dave and I decided I should pursue my master’s degree, which would take another two years. When I shared the news with my mom, she was disappointed and disapproving. She questioned why I needed more education when I already had my certification. I loved my mom dearly, but I knew I couldn’t let her disapproval dictate my future.
I wrote her a letter explaining that I loved her, but I would not allow her to tell me what I could or couldn’t do with my life. She received the letter, apologized, and our relationship changed for the better. She stopped trying to tell me how to run my life, and I’m so glad I had the courage to set that boundary.
Your loved ones may have their own ideas about what your life should look like, but their dreams for you don’t have to become your dreams. This reminds me of Mel Robbins’ The Let Them Theory and the freedom that comes from releasing your need to control what others think. You can love people without giving them the power to determine your future. Don’t let someone else’s opinions keep you from pursuing the dreams and goals that are on your heart!
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Have you ever had to set a boundary with someone you love to protect your dreams or goals?
Have you ever been so busy doing good things that you didn’t realize you were neglecting the people who mattered most? Ten years ago, I received a four-page letter from my husband, Dave, that completely changed the way I looked at my life and my priorities. At the time, I was working hard to get Happy Success Ranch Retreats started while serving on boards, committees, task forces, and groups through organizations like Oregon Horse Country, the National Speakers Association, etc. I didn’t even realize how much I had taken on. Dave was working 70-hour weeks while also caring for the horses, the ranch, and our beach house.
The first sentence of his letter was, “I love you, but I cannot do this anymore.” I was shocked. I had no idea he felt that way, and our marriage almost ended. Thankfully, we chose to have the difficult conversations, went to marriage counseling, and I made some changes. I stepped away from many of the boards and committees I was involved with so I could be more present at home with my husband.
When I shared this story with my business coach, Sandra Yancey, she gave me a quote I’ll never forget: “What you take for granted can be taken away.” That was a powerful wake-up call for me. Dave didn’t need me to accomplish more. He simply wanted me to be present. Are you making your priority people your priority? This isn’t just about marriage. It could be your children, your parents, your friends, or anyone who means the most to you. Don’t get so busy building a life that you forget to be present with the people who make that life meaningful.
Have you ever found yourself in a season of change and wished you had someone to help you navigate what comes next? My one-on-one equine gestalt coaching sessions are designed to help you gain clarity and create transformation with the help of a very special co-coach: a horse. These 1.5 to 2-hour sessions give you space to step away from the craziness of everyday life and do deeper healing and transformative work alongside the horses.
Horses are incredibly intuitive and present, and they have a beautiful way of helping you become more aware of what you’re feeling. They want you to be happy and whole. They can help you discover things about yourself that you might not uncover sitting in a therapist’s office talking. These sessions can be especially meaningful when you’re going through a major life change, feeling stuck, longing for more happiness, or ready for a new direction in your life.
You don’t have to come alone! I also offer 2-on-1 sessions, which can be a wonderful experience for sisters, mothers and daughters, or two people who want to grow and heal together. If you’re ready for some transformation and a little more happiness in your life, I’d love to invite you to spend some time with me and my co-coaches, the horses. Click below to learn more.
When was the last time you took a leap of faith and made the jump into bigger, brighter, and better dreams? Maybe there’s a dream, goal, or desire that’s been sitting on your heart, but you’ve been afraid to take that first step. Your life isn’t meant to stay in one spot. Change is the only true constant, and sometimes moving into a new season means leaving what’s familiar behind. Along the journey, there will be bridges you need to cross to get from where you are to where you want to be. You simply have to be brave enough to make the jump. I’m challenging YOU: Will you take the leap? Where you are today doesn’t have to be where you stay. Be bold. Be courageous. Be willing to chase the bigger, brighter, happier life that’s waiting on the other side.
We can go faster and farther together! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that I don’t have to do everything myself. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your dreams is ask for help. When you delegate, collaborate, and surround yourself with people who have different strengths than you do, you can accomplish so much more than you could on your own. I’m incredibly grateful for the people who help make Happy Success Ranch Retreats possible.
Jennah has been working with us for about three years as our Director of Operations. She helps with women’s groups and retreats, setting up activities, taking photos, office work, and so much more. Hillary has been working with us for a little over a year, helping with communications for Happy Success Ranch Retreats and my husband Dave’s company, Gsix Products. I couldn’t do what I do without their help and support!
And this doesn’t just apply to business. Where could you use a little help in your everyday life? Maybe it’s cleaning your house, taking care of the yard, or getting dinner on the table. Could you hire a cleaning service, a landscaping company, or use a meal subscription service? Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s a smart way to create more time and energy for the things that matter most. When we work together, we really can go faster and farther!
Can you believe you’re already halfway through the year? 2026 is known as the “Year of the Fire Horse,” a special year that only comes around once every 60 years. It’s often associated with momentum and moving forward with purpose. Now is the perfect time to pause and check in with yourself. How are you doing with your goals, dreams, and deadlines? Have you kept the momentum going, or has life gotten in the way?
One thing I’ve learned is that momentum works a lot like laundry. When you stay on top of it, it feels manageable. But when you let it pile up, it can feel overwhelming to get started again. The good news is that it’s never too late. If you’ve lost momentum, today can be your fresh start. Revisit your goals, give your dreams a deadline, and take one small step forward. Before you know it, you’ll be building momentum again, one intentional choice at a time.
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Grab your journal, head to your favorite spot (coffee shop, park, your backyard) and take a few moments to reflect on the questions below since we are at the mid-year point of the year of the fire horse!
What are you most grateful for so far this year?
How’s your momentum on projects you’ve wanted to accomplish? Where do you need to pause and change course?
What lesson has this year taught you?
What challenge helped you grow?
What has brought you the most happiness?
Are your daily choices aligned with your core guiding values? If not, how can you improve?
What’s one dream you want to pursue during the rest of the year?
What’s one brave step you can take this month?
Who can you encourage this week?
What do you want to look back and celebrate at the end of this year?
