Thanks to a generous new acquaintance, I’ve just started reading Lt. Col. A.L. D’Endrödy’s classic work on the training of horse and rider “Give Your Horse a Chance.” D’Endrödy explains in the introduction that “I drafted the first outline of my book while in captivity at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains, on the shores of the Black Sea. I was a prisoner of war in Russian hands for three and a half years and during those sad, lonely years the planning of this book was my favourite pastime.”
I cannot comment on the quality of the whole work as I’ve only read the first chapter, but after reading these two sentences in the introduction I cannot help but say as Renée Zellweger said to Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire, D’Endrödy “had me at hello.” I mean, other than John, who supposedly wrote the book of Revelation while exiled on the isle of Patmos, who possesses such fortitude and self-command as to be so creative when the chips are so utterly and completely down?
The ability to rise above complaint, blame and self-pity in times of crisis or oppressive constriction is the hallmark of a master in living. When most content themselves with wallowing in their grievances (and thereby intensifying and prolonging their suffering), a true master in any form of life expression maintains his ability to focus his creative energies in relation to the apertures in circumstance, no matter how limited or unpleasant they might be.
As I mentioned yesterday, horse trainer Sally Swift managed to keep her composure in relation to a physical limitation at might have stopped others in their tracks and there are countless other inspiring stories of triumph over adversity. Make no mistake though, the idea that suffering is necessary to know the good in life is utterly false. That said and given the way things are, there are bound to be rough patches in life, so why not learn to make the most of them?
Gregory Hake 
The chances of life have more to do with the attitude of fertility than anything else. The state of barrenness gives evidence of our true attitudes towards life, our beliefs about reality, ultimately our personal relatedness towards our own humanity and our cosmic setting, for lack of a better term.
I know few people give this much thought, as cultural beliefs cap the collective existential limits for the average person. You see this well expressed in the passion for their loyalties.
There is more than enough energy in the universe to do anything – science surely recognizes the concept of infinite potential – and so resources can never possibly lack for they do no start in the material.
It seems like we should be more concerned with assuming a fertile stance in our consciousness towards life if we are to live up to what our most sublime thinkers have produced in their observations about reality. Life abundant, marvelous, grand and most of all, sacred.
Live and let live.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment and perspective, Ricardo.
LikeLike
I think that this ability to be creative in the worst circumstances imaginable comes more naturally to some, whether by nature or nurture I’m not sure, but I think it is available to all. To those that might not have it naturally, there are many circumstances every day where the ability to be cool under stress comes into play. That is where you learn to do something amazing like this. The large example that you mentioned today is just the evidence of a lifetime of small successes in the same thing. The next time you have a “high stress” event at work or home, remember Lt. Col. A.L. D’Endrödy, and know that you can be successful, creative, and superlative no matter what the circumstance.
LikeLike
I believe that this can and must be trained and developed in the individual. Practice can come in relation to the little things that pop up in the day. Perfect your approach to these and you’ll develop a habit of right function with which you can conquer anything that comes your way, no matter how big or imposing!
LikeLike
Thanks Gregg for such inspirational posts. They do bring to mind what it takes to be a master in living. Let them be received in our hearts and proven in our living.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Steve.
LikeLike
The mark of a good leader is one who can make the most of any situation. And, whether or not you consider yourself a leader or not, if you can take advantage of any situation, whether adverse or not (by seeing the opportunities you have), you probably are one.
LikeLike
Leadership is challenging, but not to the well-prepared whose character is fortified by this basic approach to dealing with limitation.
LikeLike
I can think of some others that fall into this category. The author and poet Maya Angelou’s fortitude to “rise” is a moving demonstration of this phenomena. Are they inspired by greater forces bestowed on them, perhaps, but they allowed what ever grace was theirs to be activated no matter how diminished their opportunity seemed. I feel we each have a unique contribution and regardless of the circumstances we are charged to offer as much of it as we can. There probably are “perfect” circumstances in which our legacy could fully be extended but I wonder if that’s even possible for any given the present state of the world. The ability to have a well lived life is to bring it in spite of the twists that come our way. Beautiful post, thanks!
LikeLike
She’s another great example. Thanks!
LikeLike
I’ve been amazed at how some people have risen above circumstances that would crush the spirit of most. I agree you don’t have to be down to appreciate up. I think most of those extraordinary folk would have soared in usual circumstances. That said the fact is they have raised the bar on where we believe the human spirit can create. I’ve met or read about a number people who met restrictive challenges and persevered; inspiring me to look at what I could do, not what I couldn’t. I’m not an equestrian but his book has piqued my interest because, as you’ve demonstrated in some posts, many of the principles are applicable in all areas of living and I’d be interested in his thoughts. Thanks, Gregg .
LikeLike