Are You Lying to Yourself? (My Fiancée Just Proved I Was.)

Do you ever look back and think, "Oh, I could never do that anymore"?

We've all been there. As we get older, it's so easy to tell ourselves stories – excuses, really – about why we can't do the things we once loved.

We often lie to ourselves, without even realizing it. I know this feeling well. When I was a young woman, horses were my world. I even owned a beautiful Thoroughbred racehorse colt – he was my pride and joy! And riding? Absolutely loved it.

But then life happened. As I got older,chronic back problems crept in. My internal dialogue quickly shifted: "Well, that's it. My riding days are definitely over." I told myself this for years. It was a firm, self-imposed rule.

Enter my fiancée. Bless his heart, he looked at me and my "bad back" and simply said, "I don't believe there's anything wrong with your back. I think you can still ride a horse."

My immediate thought?Yeah, right, buddy. You try living with this back!I didn't believe him for a second.

Fast forward to last holiday weekend. My fiancé whisked me away to The Villages, where we always have a great time. It is near Ocala – Florida's horse country.

Unbeknownst to me, he had a surprise up his sleeve. He handed me his car keys and an address, saying, "Go here. It's a surprise."

My heart pounded as I pulled up to a stable. Suddenly, it clicked. He'd booked me a horse ride! After not being on a horse for over 40 years, I was terrified. But also… intrigued.

And guess what? I got on that horse. And it was wonderful! And my back? Absolutely no problems. Zero. Zilch. Nada.

It was an incredible moment. I was doing something I had convinced myself was impossible. My fiancée saw a potential in me that I had completely written off.

How many of you are doing this to yourselves? Are you lying to yourself like I was, telling yourself you're too old, too out of shape, too busy, or too anything to enjoy the things you loved in your youth?

Don't let those self-imposed limitations steal your joy Life is meant to be enjoyed, and you're never too old to revisit a passion.

Don't count yourself out too soon! You might be missing out on some truly wonderful experiences.

If you're like me and find joy and challenge in riding horses, you too likely possess hidden potential you might be overlooking.

Just as my fiancée could perceive strengths in me I couldn't see myself, I work with lawyers and physicians to identify and overcome their subconscious limiting beliefs and blind spots.