Mama in the Saddle

I don't know about you, but sometimes I like things to be perfect. Left unchecked, I believe that the house needs other be clean, the kids cheerful, things "just so" in order for me to be happy.

But the reality is, circumstances don't make me happy. And if I'm always striving for perfection, I miss the wonder and good that is already going on around me.

In this episode, I share some personal stories from the last few weeks about how I tried to push for perfection, and came to realize how good things already are, and resting in that, which has brought so much joy!

Also, if you haven't heard, I recently published my newest book, "Mama in the Saddle." I'm so excited to share it with you!! Find it on Amazon here.

I have been so excited to share this news with you... my new book, "Mama in the Saddle" is officially live!!! This episode outlines my journey in writing the book, and exciting news moving forward.

My new book is available in Hardcover, Paperback and Ebook.

Find it using the links below:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/09jJvneG

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mama-in-the-saddle-elizabeth-do-carmo/1149441594?ean=9798279654499

I'm sooo excited about this book launch! Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the weeks and months to come! Thank you so much for all your support!

Do you ever feel like life is just flying by, and things you want to get done, just seem to fall by the wayside because of the speed of it all?

Do you ever feel a momentary sense of joy, but stuff it down because something else draws you and makes you think you need to rush quick to respond?

In today's episode, I talk about two phrases I use that help me slow down and savor the moments, and choose happy even when things are busy. I discuss how we can work within a deadline without rushing, and not panicking when unexpected things come up.

Also, stay tuned!! My book announcement will be made in the next weeks!

If you want a head start in reading one of my books, check out my first devotional called, "Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit." Find it on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/0elkbz98

Sometimes, when life gets busy, it can be easy to want to give up on our horse dreams. It feels like relief, at first, to quit. But in today's episode, I talk about how to try again, even when you are tempted to give up.

Don't sell your saddle yet, Mama. Keep dreaming.

I tell an inspirational story about watching my son use his gift of engineering, and how his determination to keep trying has inspired me to keep trying with my horse dreams and goals. Recognizing we have a gift, a gift that brings us joy (horses!) and using it, even on a small level, can make an amazing impact on our motherhood, and overall being.

Stay tuned for an exciting announcement in the next week or so, as I reveal a book launch!

Do you ever struggle to not only feel, but show, happiness? Perhaps you know you love horses, but you struggle to show that happiness with them, because you are afraid you will make someone uncomfortable by your joy. Or perhaps you are afraid you'll bore them. Perhaps you're hesitant because sometimes happiness feels vulnerable.

I have been in those places before, and so this year, I'm deciding to study it.

Every year, I like to choose a yearly theme. This year, I have decided to focus on the idea of "Boldly Happy."

I have chosen to study happiness, and study how it shows up in my body. I am choosing to study why happiness is important. I am reading books on happiness, and studying what the Bible says about happiness.

In this episode, I share how I came to choose my yearly theme, how I'm implementing it, and important updates, as well as practical application as well.

At the end, I mention some exciting news, namely, a book launch! My new book is set to be released very soon, so stay tuned for more info in the weeks to come!

As a mom, do you tend to beat yourself up? Do you tend to feel as though you are not doing anything right, no matter how hard you try?

In this episode, I tell two different stories during lessons from two very different trainers, and how one only focused on the mistakes, the other focused only on what was going well, using the mistakes as bonuses in the right direction.

I discuss how these stories can illustrate what goes on often in a mom's mind, and how we can take our thoughts captive, to learn to focus on what is going well, instead of the downward spiral of beating ourselves up.

I also discuss how this same concept points us to the Lord and how He looks at us.

If you want more information on Stacy Westfall, check out her website (and her courses) at www.stacywestfall.com

I got a lot of wonderful feedback on the last episode having to do with Resistance, and so I decided to do a follow up episode outlining my daily routine, and how I've found little hacks to beat resistance, especially with winter coming and the cold weather. I outline how I get up early and get to the barn (and how I am a much better mom because of it), how I motivate myself with my sticker chart, how to do small reps with your horse that build up into bigger goals (and how to celebrate each success), and much, much more.

Ultimately, if there's one thing I could have you take away from this episode, it's that a little goes a long way, it is possible to motivate yourself and be your own best accountability partner, and having a hot drink in your hand at all times when it's cold helps a ton!

Do you ever feel resistance to doing the things you want to do, or love to do? Specifically with horses?

In this episode, I share a story about how I overcame resistance recently, and how it sneaks up in so many different places in life.

I share how I've been learning to overcome resistance, and strategies to keep going.

I share how it's important to focus on our why behind what we do. I talk about how it's important to use those gifts and things that bring us joy.

Do you ever have an all or nothing mentality? Where if you can't do something 100%, then you might choose to not do it at all?

I know I do. This has recently been brought to my attention, and it's fascinating how it applies to both our horsemanship and motherhood. In this episode, I talk about how that "all or nothing" mentality has affected me, and what I've done to help overcome it. I talk about how 15 minutes is golden, and how to use a sticker chart to encourage yourself in achieving goals.

Welcome to season 2 of the podcast. After a summer break, it feels good to be back. Stay tuned for more! Blessings!

Have you ever experienced a dream, and it did not unfold the way you originally thought?

In this episode, I chat with Yvet Blokesch, of the Feather Light Academy, about her experience into motherhood while being an equestrian and horse trainer. 

We discuss topics around:

*Pregnancy while having horses

*Processing and adjusting when unexpected things happen

*Setting realistic goals while being a mom with horses 

*Treasuring every moment spent with our horses and children, choosing to stay in the present with them and not be distracted.

*Acknowledging hard days, but being able to see the big picture.

*How to have and hold to your opinions with horses and children

*Choosing one thing that makes you happy and do it, even a little bit, every day. 

Also tune in to hear what she said are three skills she’s cultivated while being a mom and horsewoman. It is absolute gold.

What an encouraging conversation this was! 

Find out more about Yvet here. 

The Feather Light Academy: https://featherlightacademy.com/about-yvet/