When to “Look the Other Way”

This doesn’t mean what it sounds like, so bear with me.

While the tragedy of losing 19 firefighters in Arizona was still fresh in everyone’s minds in the summer of 2013, I happened upon a radio interview of an elder shaman from one of the Native American tribes here in New Mexico. One of the main topics during the interview was, indeed, this horrifying sudden loss of life of so many who were so valiantly trying to save the rest of us from the wildfires.

I will never forget what the elder said when asked what he thought of this kind of devastating phenomenon. I won’t quote, because I can’t remember word-for-word, but he said something like:

“When I was being taught by an elder shaman, so that I might carry on the tradition, one of the things he told me was never to stare a catastrophe in the face. If you can’t do anything about it, don’t watch. Look the other way and pray for the souls of those who are involved.”

The reason, he continued, is because when you focus on the actuality of a catastrophe or, unless you can literally step in and do something to help, its emotional impact steals your power. Thus you become ineffectual in helping make a change, even energetically, whereas your prayer for the well-being of those involved can carry great healing power.

Or, as Mr. Rogers said when he shared his mother’s advice:  “Always look for the helpers. Don’t focus on the accident. Just look for the helpers… because they are always around.” (Love this!)

I unwittingly have always found this to be true for myself, just one example being the day of 9/11. Once I became aware of what was going on and watched those first horrifying images on TV, I spent the rest of the day outside with my horses, working in the barn, doing chores I had put off for weeks. I did check in for updates every once in a while, but I basically spent the day cleaning tack and praying for the souls who were lost. At the time it was instinctive. It just felt like the right thing to do rather than watching the twin towers fall over and over, all day long, and experiencing the attendant emotional shock every time they did.

So why am I posting about this philosophy now? Because, as you can see from this photo, there are hundreds if not thousands of horses who have been starving in the state of New Mexico, largely due to the unprecedented drought of the last few years.

Many of these bands of horses are contained on pueblos so have no ability to travel outside their over-grazed areas in order to find forage. Over the summer, before the unforeseen flooding rains of September arrived, these poor souls became wraith-like — gaunt skeletons haunting a barren desert landscape, many visible from interstate highways. Naturally, this inspired and fired a movement to do something about the situation.

While long-term solutions are hopefully being worked out, a gang of strong women stepped into the void and began hauling hay and water to these starving souls every single day back in mid-July. Not only did they offer their boots-on-the-ground efforts, but they raised thousands of dollars for a hay fund in order to keep the horses fed as long as possible. They know they are only touching the tip of the iceberg in terms of numbers of starving horses, but they are committed! The late summer and September rains have brought up grasses and lushness far beyond anyone’s expectations or hopes, so the horses are okay for now and recovering, as you can see here. But once the winter sets in they will be back in the same starving situation as before.

So… please don’t let these skin-and-bones images steal your power. Rather, after viewing them, send the wild horses of America your love and blessings; and then “look the other way” and focus your prayers and energy on those strong “helpers” who are working hard on their behalf. “It takes a village,” as they say. But, on the other hand, one person’s focused energy can change the world.

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If you would like to help the starving horses in New Mexico and their wonderful “helpers” right now, please visit the New Mexico Wild Horse Relief Fund page on Facebook. There are many other “save the Mustangs” funds to choose from as well, if you’d like to do something to help preserve this living icon of our American heritage.