Sit Loose
I know very little about riding horses, but I admire people who do. They always look as though they are enjoying themselves. Usually, the horses don’t appear to mind either. From what I know, balance is important and some degree of flexibility is required. Perhaps that is why Robert Lewis Stevenson advised “Sit loosely in the saddle of life.” People ride different horses through life. Some ride plow horses, steady and strong; some race horses sleek and fast; some jumpers risking and daring; and some trail horses, trot, canter, and gallop. No matter what steed one rides, I am told, sitting loose in the saddle is sound advice. Too rigid in body, too firm in hand and you are prone to pain. Sitting tensely makes each bump bigger, each sway severe, and each turn treacherous. Sitting loosely allows the body to limit the impact and reduce the shocks that come with each step. It has to do with setting the course and letting the horse pretty much take care of the rest. How we sit in life’s saddle has much to do with the balance between controlling and allowing — holding on and letting go. Knowing what to control and when to hold on isn’t easy. As a matter of fact, we tend to get it backwards. Often, when it would be best to let go and allow things to happen, we tighten our grip and seek to take control. When we would be better off asserting some control, we let go and allow things to happen. Having some idea as to where the horse we are riding is heading makes sitting loosely in the saddle possible. When we know we are on course, we can allow the journey to happen. When we are off course, we best maneuver our way back. We all ride best when we remember that neither the pace nor the destination is as important as the journey itself.