I have loved horses and horse riding since high school years. Horses are majestic. There is nothing more freeing than racing a horse in an open field.
Over the years, I went from a rider who had zero command over his horse to a decent rider who can navigate the desert at night. I had my fair share of funny and painful falls. I love riding through the desert, especially when the full moon shimmers its light and transforms the darkness into a magical scene. I have spent many nights in the desert watching the stars while waiting for the sunrise.
It is an experience that I have shared with most of my close friends. It is an experience that I have shared with most who visited me while in Egypt. They got to see the magic.
Transformation
I went from the person who used to escape his troubles in the desert and didn’t care to have a soul around– I used to pay extra to ditch the guide– to the person who organizes a group adventure and doesn’t leave anyone behind. I race with the most experienced riders, I gallop with the intermediate ones, and I will walk with the scared freshman. I have fun doing it all.
I got to see my own transformation in other facets of life.
Roots
I have pondered that transformation for years. I traced some of it to my years in hospitality. In the Saudi deserts, I did learn a lot while managing the movement of 1200 pilgrims while attending to their every need. It wasn’t an easy task making many people feel safe and secure while performing one of the most sacred rituals. I had to be the driver, cook, maid, travel agent, hotel manager, doctor, accountant, smuggler, preacher, ambulance, and their only source of reliable information.
I was always on the last bus out.
Other Experiences
The United Nations uses the hashtag, #LeaveNoOneBehind , to remind people of the most vulnerable and marginalized members of any population, and they are many if not the majority. It was both the hashtag, and my horse riding experiences that led me to reflect on the concept.
To advance as a race, we must advance together. We can’t enter a new adventure if the majority hasn’t even made it to the finish line of the current adventure. Corona has shown us the importance of collective and united action.
If you are far ahead, slow down and help someone catch up.
If you have mastered a skill, mentor someone.
If you are well off, show someone the way to independence. You get the idea.
However, don’t do it as a savior, don’t do it if it is a burden.
Do it because it is the right thing to do and do it well!
And if you are far behind, don’t be shy or proud to ask for guidance.
We all need a helping hand!!
We must all get to the #finishline.
