Dream

Guest Blogger: Connie Runia, Attorney-At-Law. Boise, Idaho

I’ve had a plan, a vision, a dream about horses since kindergarten. 

I wanted to be a cowgirl – and I still do.  This dream was captured in countless drawings and in my earliest writings. I had few chances to ride growing up, but took every opportunity that presented itself.  My primary experience was a very naughty Shetland owned by some friends.  Looking back, it is fortunate I did not get hurt as this grass bellied, barn sour beast did its best to shake us off.  I learned that not all horses want to be your friend.  I bought my first horse when I was 40.  She was a patient old mare who allowed me many rides.  I learned that I wanted more.  I watched scared beginners on spoiled horses and watched the finely tuned athletes competing at the local rodeo.  I learned that people expect different things from horses.  

So I read, I watched, I listened and I rode.  The thing is, there is no faking it with a horse.  It all shows up.  There are no shortcuts for time in the saddle and a good horse.  The best thing I ever did was to humbly reach out to someone with experience – to select the horse, to watch my rides, to give me instant feedback and advice.  I learned that becoming a cowgirl would be a lifelong endeavor – of doing it scared, failing, learning and getting up again.  A real cowgirl will never tell you they have arrived.

A few years ago I had another dream – to leave the corporate world and hang out my own shingle (that is, I started my own solo law practice).  From zero, I had to build a client base, establish a reputation and grow my expertise.  I was locked in – focused on this dream – to have my own practice.    I thought I knew exactly what was needed for this path … then I crossed paths with Amy.  I now look back at that coffee meeting as one of the key decision points along the path to a successful practice.

Amy became an expert on Connie – on what holds me back, throws me off the path, how to get me back up again.  I learned that an experienced eye would challenge me to set goals beyond what I could imagine, help me to recognize the real obstacles, and to accept my own success.  It meant searching, pushing, learning new things.  It meant setting goals, priorities and boundaries.   I learned what set me apart from the herd.  And I learned that there are no shortcuts.   

I won’t tell you that I’ve arrived.  But I will tell you is this – what I have accomplished from the earliest glimmer of both dreams is more than I could have ever asked or imagined.  Because I listen to people who believe I am capable of more – who can imagine more. 

So get out there.  Be scared, but do it anyway. You have a promise to keep – a potential to meet – a best self to bring to the world. 

The world needs your unique awesomeness.