Soft Hands, Soft Eyes

 

My horse, Jubilee, is getting a mani-pedi today. I watch as the farrier removes her shoe, lifts her left front hoof and places it on a 3-foot high pedestal. He files the rough edges before placing a new shoe over it. Music comes from the truck, and I watch Jubilee’s eyes soften. Soft eyes are something I look for on my horse. It’s a sign she’s relaxed and trusting.

I want her to have soft eyes when I ride her, too, and think it starts with soft hands. Softening my hands on the reigns.

I hold a lot of tension and energy in my hands, so this is something I’m learning. From early childhood, due to admonitions at home and in the classroom to “settle down”, I’ve had a habit of squeezing my thumbs in my fists, to control excess energy. I never really settle down: the nervous energy just transfers to my hands.

This tightness can travel inward and upward, into arms, shoulders, neck, jaw. Or downward and outward, into reigns, another’s hand, or someone else’s spirit.

Soft hands don’t just apply to handling horses. It’s about using only the amount of energy necessary to accomplish the job, not more. We can practice by lightening our touch in daily tasks. For example: hold the knife gently when cutting food. Brush teeth with a loose grip on the toothbrush. Hold a pen or pencil lightly when writing or signing.

And we can practice soft hands in the figurative sense also.Loosen our grip on thoughts, circumstances beyond our control,and the need to make everyone happy. Stop squeezing our fists, open our hands to give our lives, our work, our love. Leave them open to receive blessings, contentment and peace.

Soft eyes begin with soft hands.

I think I’ll get a mani-pedi. Just like Jubilee.