Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Musical Tribute

Photo by Rick Husted
 

     I love listening to music, especially music that "speaks" to me. Pop. Country. Classical. Motion-picture soundtracks.  Rock 'n roll. Even disco/electronic bands. When the music reminds me of my horse, well, that's even better.
     Over the years, I have been compiling a "Play List" for my horse. The music I have chosen is definitely eclectic. For example, the first few selections are themes from favorite movie soundtracks: "Homeland," from Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron; and "The Sandhills," from Phar Lap. Whenever I listen to these, I can just see my horse galloping over a green meadow, or I'm riding him on a beach. I didn't know Geeves when he  was a foal, but Robert Miles's electronic confection, "Children," gets me imagining what my baby was like when he was a baby.
     One of the songs on it is "Breathe," by Anna Nalick. Every time I think about the lyrics, I feel myself draw a deeper breath. Deep breathing is a great way to relax the body and mind during a ride on a windy day! Bon Jovi's "It's My Life" and "Hold on Tight" by the Electric Light Orchestra are on to help me pump up my confidence when I work on something new. Or, just because.
     Right now, I'm listening to some of the songs that specifically remind me of the bond I have had with my horse. Shania Twain's "Forever and Always" is the song I imagine that Geeves would have for me. The song I have for him is "I Knew I Loved You," by Savage Garden.
     There's an entire other Play List that I created for us to ride in a "Fantasy Freestyle" program, including music for a victory gallop. (More on that in a future Blog.)
     And, finally, I have songs that I play when I just want to think about and honor the love and respect I have for my horse. Even though Geeves passed away last autumn, the music--like his memory--lives on.
  

Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.