Page 2 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Dec 15, 2021

2 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK DECEMBER 15, 2021
AWhat Is Enough?
s I interacted with people this week, whether socially or professionally, I noticed a theme running throughout
my conversations all revolving around “not enough.” It ranged from not enough time to get everything done, to not getting enough sleep, to not having enough energy or not having enough courage to do what they really wanted to do (like say “no” to someone).
When we aren’t mindful, it’s natural to focus on the lack. The more we focus on the lack, the more it magnifies. Escape the scarcity mindset. When all is said and done, there are really only a few things that really truly matter to you. Make the shift and focus on where you do have enough.
alice@yourhappinessu.com
Horses Help A Man Find His Way
We are all teachers of love and healing for each other.
— Dr. Jerry Jampolsky
Horses taught Afton Whitmer, founder of Wild Horse Haven Rescue, how to heal and help others heal.
CHASING THE LIGHT
A fter four years in Iraq and Afghanistan and six years managing an anti-terrorist training facility, Afton Whitmer returned to the ranch he grew up on. Having witnessed the devastations of war, he had a constant ache in his heart. He said, “All I wanted was to live the rest of my life
Then, one day, Odin Side- winder, a wild mustang from South Dakota, arrived. He was a gift from another rescue ranch. Odin Sidewinder calmly walked out of the trailer — he knew exactly that this is where his destiny lay.
in peace.”
One night he had a dream
Soon, Odin Sidewinder became Afton’s best therapy horse. Shy children read to him. He helped those who didn’t know how to let their tears fall. In his presence, the other frightened horses on the ranch finally settled down.
about wild horses. Some ema- ciated, some injured, he heard the words in his head, “Save me. Give me a home!”
And, he softened that old ache inside Afton. Odin Sidewinder showed Afton that his purpose had been patiently waiting, ready to lead him all along.
trauma themselves, and mu- tual healing can occur.
Afton is perceived to be a no-nonsense tough guy. He is — but one with a huge heart.
wild ones. He calls his ranch the Wild Horse Haven Rescue. People started to come to the ranch to commune and connect to his horses, including veter- ans with post-traumatic stress
your respiration down and you watch the horse, you and the horse will start calming down together. Horses, they can feel a mosquito landing on their back. They’re very attuned to you.”
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That nocturnal message gave him a purpose, and he got to work. He started re- building the old corrals on his ranch. He had no idea what would happen next, but people just started giving him horses. They needed a home, or they would perish. The next thing he knew, he had 20 horses. In- jured ones, very elderly ones,
disorder.
Whitmer shares, “When
Whitmer says having peo- ple with traumatic experienc- es interact with his horses is a positive experience for those people and the horses, many of which have experienced
Genie Joseph, Ph.D., is the creator of The Human-Animal Connection Training Program that believes that honoring an- imal wisdom makes us better humans. Visit thehumanani- malconnection.com.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
someone with PTSD works with a horse, you just go in and be totally silent, and the hors- es hear that. Once you slow
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 11
RATING: BRONZE