BY PIPER KLEMM
When we start to talk about the state of the world, it’s easy to feel guilt. Guilt over what we have spent on horses (no matter how hard we worked for that money). Guilt over not taking opportunities. Guilt over all the things that haven’t pushed us down. Tragedy that didn’t happen.
In my first few years at the helm of The Plaid Horse, I tried to right as much as I could. I tried to help everyone. All the time. But I lacked the vision, self-care, and team to actually impact real change. I was out there learning and trying.
Through that, I focused what I wanted to change in the world. More opportunities for education—for everyone, in every form. More opportunities for women in leadership positions. And to help people developing the coping mechanisms to channel their lives to be kind, and also accepting of criticism and improvement.
When it comes to diversity in sport, The Plaid Horse has posted here and there, but we haven’t done enough. It has not been one of my major initiatives. It has not sprung me out of bed every morning, demanding action.
I’m committed to changing that. I’m angry. I’m angry that people have been systemically denied of opportunity and of education. I’m angry at myself that I didn’t make this plan five years ago. But, I must remind myself, it’s not about what we did before. It’s the change we’re making now. We can’t change the past, but we can make the future better.
We can all be better. I’m starting today.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” ~ Chinese proverb
Basically, in the context of the conversation here today, this means that if you want success and growth in the future, the best time to act is now.
