Can you recall the feeling you get every once in a while just before you make a decision to do something a little bit crazy?  There is something like a mini-argument that goes on in your mind where the angel on your left shoulder whispers warnings to you while the devil on your right shoulder pokes you with his trident, urging you to take the risk and, “live a little.” I have that argument with myself all the time. Especially right before I’m about to get on somebody else’s horse. Especially, especially when I’m about to get on somebody else’s horse and ride out with hounds on one of the biggest, craziest days of the season.

You KNOW the conversation I’m talking about right? In case you don’t, here’s an excerpt:

DEVIL: Wooooo weee! We get to go barrel-assin’ across the countryside today and feel like a speedracer. The sun is shining, the horses are up, the colors of the landscape are sizzling with reds, and golds, and greens. Let’s go hunting!

ANGEL: Oh boy. Oh boy. This is not your horse. You don’t know how he’s going to behave today! There are a lot of people out here. It’s one of the biggest fields you’ve seen this year. What if this horse just doesn’t behave?

DEVIL: Who cares if the horse behaves! He’s not yours. Just grab some mane and hold on. Worst comes to worse, you pick a soft spot on the ground (!) and bail. Stop being such a LOSER and go ride for goodness sake! Don’t miss out on all the fun, you big weenie.

ANGEL: But you have a little girl at home who needs her momma!

DEVIL: Yeah, a miserable mom is something we all need at home, isn’t it. Just think of the adrenaline rush, the joy of an all out gallop across open land, with hounds calling, hoofbeats thundering all around you and the collective grin of the whole field…

ANGEL: Oooh. Good point, D.

DEVIL: Yeahhhh. Now you’re getting the picture. There’s nothing in the world like a good run. The sun on your face, endorphins all a-flowing. We call this the REWARD. You can’t get it without taking the risk, though, so cowboy up my dear, ’cause

HERE

WE

GO!