Running Free

In the early morning light, the wranglers departed to gather the herd for the many guests planning to ride in a few hours. There were no whips cracking, just accomplished horsemanship gathering even the most defiant steed. Soon, they were assembled in a large corral as bridles and saddles arrived.

Throughout the day, they performed their duty admirably, but the greatest moment had yet to come. Like children standing at the top of the stairs on Christmas morning, the horses waited for the gate to be opened at the end of the day. They needed no escort as they ran to the distant meadow. The sight never gets old, I thought to myself, and as the dust settled, I got lost in thought.

There are all sorts of corrals. Maybe it’s one’s family of origin, place of employment, church, or school. We assemble in all sorts of places and ways, and share common connections, purposes, or interests. So, too, bridles and saddles come in all shapes and sizes. “We don’t say things like that,” someone might point out. “That’s not how we do things.” “You report to me.” I understand the benefit of gathering and appreciate the rules (written and unwritten) we create, but something deep within me wonders what life would be like if we were able to run free?

I consider myself a spiritual, creative person. Sitting there, I couldn’t help but wonder where I’d run if the gate was opened:

What would I write if I didn’t consider my audience?

What would I paint if no one would see it?

What would I sing if no one was listening?

What would I do for a living if money (and social status) was no a factor?

Where would my faith lead me if I didn’t go to church?

Who would I be if I stopped caring about the opinions of others?

Where would I run if I ran free?

Such thoughts were as unsettling as they were exciting. Climbing off the fence, I listened to the horses talking to one another in the distance. It sounded like laughter. I’ll bet that’s how we’d sound if we followed our bliss, to quote Joseph Campbell, if we were our true selves, if we were truly free.