Posted by Racer on September 18, 2004, at 17:47:58
In reply to Re: aka Disorder or Difference, posted by Dinah on September 17, 2004, at 19:13:22
Thoroughbreds are difficult beasts, unless you respect their unique characteristics. If you spend a lot of time around horses, you'll find that there are very few people who say they can take 'em or leave 'em -- instead, you find that people either say they're the best, or say they're so psycho that they're not worth feeding. (I happen to be a TB person, but only because I'm built that way, emotionally.)
Now, with thoroughbreds, you have to decide what you want. Do you want a nice, easy time of it? Do you want to concentrate on what you're doing? Or do you want to split your attention between whatever you're doing and how the horse is responding to the environment? For some, the extra effort involved in dealing with the thoroughbred is well worth it, because the rewards can be so great. For others, well, it's just not.
What makes the thoroughbred so different is described by TB people as "heart" -- being willing to give his or her all in order to please. The non-TB folks call that "being psycho". It really does involve a real lack of that instinct for self-preservation, though. A common enough story is trying to teach a TB to stand tied by hard tying him -- only to have him fight so hard to escape that he breaks his own neck. Most horses will fight until it hurts, then stop. Thoroughbreds, though, will keep fighting.
While I have no problem with you being like a thoroughbred, Dinah, I suggest that you consider being like a TB-cross, instead. Water down that extreme side, in order to protect yourself. Especially since half the world won't think putting up with it is worth the effort.
Beyond that, though, I wanted to say that I had a violent reaction to some stressors a few weeks ago that led to two nights of total insomnia, and resulting racing thoughts and speediness. It was scary -- bless Garndergirl for helping me through it, by the way -- but all those thoughts that were chasing each other through my mind did actually lead someplace good. I do believe that those episodes can lead to real discoveries, although I think the slow and steady method may be less exhausting ;-)
So, there are benefits from being the Naturally Extreme Dinah, but there are also benefits to being a slightly toned down Dinah. Whichever you choose to be, I'll still like you -- in case you're wondering.
poster:Racer
thread:391920
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040918/msgs/392395.html