“If you go, nothing will be the same when you get back.” This was the general sentiment from my friends when I told everyone I was planning to take advantage of an opportunity to be a wrangler on a guest ranch in west Texas, for 8-9 months, 1200 miles away from where I grew up and have always lived and have my pet sitting business. And you know what? They were right.
But is that a bad thing? Do we all aspire to stay in one place, on one path, in our comfort zone for our whole lives? Never trying new things, meeting new people, never experiencing all the amazing things that are just beyond our comfort zone? And why?
Because change is difficult. But growth comes from change, and difficult isn’t synonymous with impossible. Life is fluid, you either move with it, or get banged up on the rocks trying to hold on.
I let go. I stepped out of my comfort zone, into a world I knew very little about, and I dove in. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, there was a pretty big learning curve with some things on my adventure. I had never tacked up 8 horses by myself and led a group of children and adults on 1800 acres of unmarked trails before my first day on the job. I had never mended a set of leather reins that broke while we were out in the back acreage of the ranch before. I had never been in the situation where I had inexperienced riders with me horseback, and the herd of buffalo decided they wanted to play chicken that day. I had never driven a limo before. I had never mended barbed wire fence before. I had never roped a calf before, and my horse didn’t have any experience either. I had never branded, vaccinated or castrated cattle before. I had never seen so many enormous spiders, snakes, and scorpions before, let alone finding some of these creatures in my own bed!
But I embraced the learning experience and pushed myself as much as possible to step out of my comfort zone. And I learned. And I grew. Probably in girth as well as character because the ranch food was amazing! It was a whole new world to me, and now it’s a part of me, a part of what makes me, Me.
I brought back a renewed passion for my pet sitting. Through unfortunate events, I was able to connect with Patty Cope, who couldn’t be more perfect for APP. I’ve learned from my mistakes and have instituted changes to prevent future mistakes and make the APP experience better for the client.
And no, nothing is the same now that I’m back. I have new skill sets, a new passion for riding, a new understanding of cultures apart from the one I grew up in, new friends, new family, new love, and a new outlook on life. I had the opportunity to develop relationships with people from all over the world. I soaked it all in, all the conversations, the bonds we formed, and the memories made. I made it a point to ask people about their lives, their relationships, and any wisdom they had to pass along.
I had an amazing adventure in Texas, and I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone to try something new. I am excited to see what the new year brings, and I appreciate everyone’s loyalty and support. Patty and I look forward to continuing to provide you with exceptional pet care and peace of mind.
~Amber McGinnis
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