Recently, a lifelong friend of mine passed away.

The effects of his passing felt like a distant earthquake making its way to our house, causing the ground to roll, the house to shake, and testing the foundation.

Luckily our foundation is strong, our friend group is large, and we know we can survive, but sadness is lurking. Grief is inevitable. And in all of it, is something profoundly beautiful.

To set the stage, I want to talk about the afterlife. Not spiritually, not religiously, not even metaphorically. I want to twist the phrase from "afterlife" to "after my life." Or yours, or his, for the purpose of our story.

Rather than focus on what comes next for me when I die, I find it compelling to focus on what comes next for YOU after my life. What did I leave behind?

And that is the question regarding my friend. What he left behind, his afterlife, is US. He left us with the gift of enthusiasm and passion.

You didn't know him like I did, of course, but that is okay. It is not the point of the story. The point is to decide where to put our attention. Religiously or spiritually, it is easy to hope that he is in a better place. That is a nice thought. But more importantly, in honor of those who have gone before us, what did they leave us with?

And what do we want to leave those who stay after we go?

How does any of this relate to you, or the horse you are planning to ride today?

Most of us have horses that were a big part of our lives and they aren't here anymore. We also have people too. Those people and animals left behind some beautiful gifts. I believe it is worth reviewing those things.

And finally, I also believe it is worth considering bringing the focus from a hopeful future for ourselves to a wonderful present moment, where we impact the lives of those around us.

Each interaction sends a signal to the people and animals in your life. Seeds for a forest of potential growth and change. They are left with the memories of you. Your demeanor, your questions, your hopes, your happiness, your pursuits.

What kind of memories do you hope they have after it all? What kind of gifts do you hope to leave behind? It's a big, thought provoking question...

How do you want your afterlife, or rather "after your life," to look?

It makes every interaction count. Every conversation, every moment of the day. It doesn't have to feel like pressure. I hope it feels like home. A grounding in the present rather than in some future or past. Do not put off for tomorrow what could be done today.

There are people who need to hear your voice, need to see you strive, need to feel your vulnerability, and need to believe wonderful things are possible. You have animals that need to see you breathe, focus, and stay present.

Life is wonderful and beautiful beyond compare. Let's celebrate what we have and what's been left behind and consider what we will leave too.

With love, ​Don