Be fearless in the pursuit of Excellence!
So this is it. The last ever edition of Equitas in Magazine format. It is an exciting, nervous and truly beautiful time. In a short time we have come a long way but we are only at the beginning of our journey to transform the industry for equestrian women around the world. We are in our infancy as we work towards building a global audience and are proud to have launched the world's first media brand and positivity movement for Equestrian women.
So why move online? Why move away from a Magazine that has been read in 60+ countries in a few short months. The answer is relatively simple. We need to be fearless in the pursuit of excellence.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?”
This is the start of one of my favourite quotes from Marianne Williamson. Why I love it is because I believe it. In my heart and soul I believe that people across the world are restricted in fulfilling their true potential due to fear!! Fear is a construct that fundamentally we are in charge of and can control. Now in no way am I saying it is easy to try and control your fears but I am 100% saying it is worth it. With that being said, I hate heights and would never sky dive but that isn’t the point. The point is, can I overcome those fears with dedication, motivation and time? Yes. Yes, I can. Now do I want to… no, not really!! But as big a decision it is for us to move online, it is one all our team is comfortable with and confident about.
Williamson writes in A Return to Love. “Fear is an illusion. Our craziness, paranoia, anxiety and trauma are literally all imagined. That is not to say they don’t exist for us as human beings. They do. But our fear is not our ultimate reality, and it does not replace the truth of who we really are.”
Am I afraid to move online? No!! It is progress and as nervous as we might feel right now… I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD NEVER BE AFRAID OF PROGRESS.
The title of this piece is a line I use a lot when I talk with people, mentor people or try to lead movements across the Grassroots Gazette and Equitas. I use it a lot because it embodies my way of thinking. If you want to change the world, truly change the world… you have got to be fearless, you’ve got to back yourself and although doubt may creep in as we are all human… it can not take over.
You have to go for it; you have to give it everything, you’ve got to know there was nothing that you didn’t do and you’ve got to remember to get out of your own way.
For me it comes down to what the tradeoff is. Do you really want to do it… is it your passion and is it your purpose… because if it is you will always find a way. There will be no progression for Justice, Fairness and Equity for women across the world in the equine industry if someone, some team, some brand isn’t fearless to lead the way. And why can’t that be us? Why can’t that be the Equitas Generation?
“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
The last line here embodies what we need to do. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. If we want to really lead a worldwide media brand and positivity movement for Equestrian Women, then we need to do just that and be leaders. We need to face our fears and be a shining light for others. We as a collective, as a community, as #TheEquitasGeneration needs to be the leaders that will create this change. We are all leaders, we all have the potential, sometimes you just need the support and our Equitas tribe will give you that. And in turn, you will become a leader too.
Being fearless in the pursuit of excellence is part of who we are at Equitas. We know the industry needs to change and it will be a long journey but one that is incredibly empowering. We know what we need to do… Transform the equine industry worldwide for equestrian women. Why being fearless has to be part of who we are is simple. NO ONE HAS DONE THIS BEFORE. That means we are following our own lead… we have nothing to measure this on to compare our journey to.
Don’t get me wrong, we can pull similarities from other verticals or industries! But when you are doing something someone or some brand has never done before… I think you need three things to battle fear and pursue excellence. You need to believe; you need a positive team and you need to feel truly inspired with the ability to inspire others through your values, thoughts, and actions.
We are moving online to be able to get to more people. To give them content to read, a pathway to follow, a community to join and a movement to be part of but giving it to them the way that they want and behave which simply is ONLINE AND THROUGH MOBILE. That is how our generation behaves and the next generation… well they will be even more well versed than we are!!! So we need to do it for us but also for them. The Next Generation live, learn, and connect online. That is a key part of their identity and we need to understand and acknowledge that and make the adjustments we need to build our worldwide movement.
We needed to lead the way and take the next step in our progression. We need to do this for us and more importantly we need to do this for you, our Equitas Community,
“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals.” – Jean Vanier
To wrap this up, my final piece in an Equitas Magazine, I have one ask… Be Fearless in the pursuit of excellence. Be fearless in following love, be fearless in believing in yourself, be fearless in loving yourself, be fearless embracing who you are and be fearless in following your dreams.
We are excited for the future; we are thrilled with what we are creating and we are inspired by the movement and community we are building. We are Equitas and my dear friends is The Equitas Generation.
Until Next Time,
Shane
