I belong to a riding club and at the last meeting our president stood up and told us about an older women, I believe she was in her late 80's, who enrolled in collage. The other students asked her why she was there at her age and she gave quick funny replies but basically she stated that this was something she always wanted to do. She decided that instead of dreaming about it, instead of talking about it she would just do it. She did not want to die with regrets and what ifs.

She became an inspiration to other students and her story became an inspiration to other women. No matter your age, no matter your circumstances, no matter what, just get out there and do it. Step out of your zone and do something that you have always wanted to do, try something new, challenge yourselves, push yourself, educate yourself, go to the next level.

The women's name in the story was Rose so our president said she was implementing a Rose Award for the person who stepped out of there comfort zone, challenged themselfs no matter what and did something different. In the horse world, as in any world, that can mean so many different things. She said as she was reading the story and thought of this award the first person she thought of was, drum roll please..... It was me!!! I was so surprised and thrilled and I knew right away what she was talking about. After 8 plus years of riding I had done something that I never thought I would do, I entered a dressage show, for me this was huge. I am not a person who likes tests and I always thought this was way over my head. But I did it, I challenged myself and even though I had a low score I did it. These people who I ride with, who I socialize with, who I admire, they acknowledged what I had done and it truly made me feel good. I was then presented with a rose and a bunch of carrots, we must not forget the horse.

According to the story Rose died shortly after she graduated but I think she went with no regrets. I think she must have been a person who challenged herself all through her life, I want to be more like Rose. I will now challenge myself more, I will try new things again and again.

I will also give the rose award to others when I think they deserve it. I will send a rose, real or fake. I will send a painting of a rose, a greeting card or an animated gIFs, . Perhaps a book on roses, the skies the limit, I will do this to let them know I am proud that they tried something different, overcame a challenge in there life, went outside there comfort zone. Do you know someone who deserves The Rose Award? , go ahead send them a rose.

Don't forget to give yourselves a rose when you deserve one. We all have internal challenges and maybe some of them are things you don't want to share, its ok ,when you get there, when you step out, give yourself a rose. Remember its not about winning its just about doing.

Take this rose, you can copy and send to anyone you want