Hi Nancy,

Happy National Dog Day! Great Facebook post with a life changing lesson! (This is how people, and horses, end up with labels. I call this demonizing others!)

For anyone that knows me ... I HATE labels. (Unless they are the ones that make you step up!)

Here's the photo and the caption:

"WORST. HUNTING. DOG. EVER."

No. We all experience moments when we are clueless to what others see as the obvious.

That is why we need people with a different perspective. Someone that is capable of not only seeing a problem (that's the easy part), but then experienced and talented enough to get to the real bottom of it. THEN knowledgeable and strategic enough to turn it around for THAT particular individual.

Quickly and with lasting results.

We don’t have to choose that "embarrassing" stuck place as a lifelong disability or identity. We CAN learn how to become more aware and to change our focus. We can learn better skills and to better develop our senses and talents.

Refuse the labels other people try to put on you. Get out the Teflon spray!

That Beagle can decide to be the;

THE BEST. HUNTING. DOG. EVER.

It is a decision and a choice.

A Facebook reader wrote back to my comment:

"My Beagle was hit by the tow bar of a SUV, kicked by a draft horse, and shot in the rear. He still had the instinct to hunt but one of our neighbors said, 'That white dog has to show him which way to go!' Maybe his sense of smell was affected."

I answered:

"It could be. So maybe he would learn how to use his ears more. I like the idea of having a buddy Beagle to hunt with or to be retained.

"Maybe the problem was he wasn't trained to "sniff out" a fox. Maybe he was trained to sniff out birds! Or even bombs!

"Maybe he needs a new hunting job description that accents what he IS good at, like not getting distracted even if he is being stalked by a fox that would be fun to chase! Staying on point. (HIS point!)

"Or maybe his purpose on this earth is to show others what NOT to do. Or what happens when you are not serious and consistent with your training! (Or when you believe labels that other people put on you!)

"So maybe his legacy will be how to HOW TO OVERCOME LABELS AND SURVIVE THE EMBARRASSMENT OF BEING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK!. (OR EVEN THROWN OUT OF THE PACK!")

In which case ... and especially with bomb sniffing ... NOT getting distracted makes this Beagle;

THE BEST. HUNTING. DOG. EVER!

Riders come to me all day long with negative, defeating labels and perspectives and opinions about themselves. And their horses. They are just not focusing on how truly amazing they really are!

We just have to tweak a few things.

Never accept labels! Re-frame. Re-purpose. Have faith! Jump over it, run around it or dig under the obstacle.

Never give up!

And get a mentor or a coach if you are REALLY serious about being the best that you can be! Many times my clients are thrilled to discover that they are just one millimeter change away from being the best that they can be.

And it started with changing their beliefs and their labels (their "stories").

Enjoy your day off!

Nancy Dye
Breakthrough Equestrian Mental Skills Coach
Emotional Strength & Resilience Trainer
Strategic Interventionist
1-561-866-0402

Elite Lifestyle Transformations, LLC