I would rather be a mule than a horse

A mule is the sterile offspring of a male donkey and mare. Mules are said to be stubborn and willful, while horses are thought to be easily trained or led. I never really gave this much thought and always just accepted this axiom. I knew that horses could be worked to death - you know - a real work-horse. I used to think this was a compliment - to work like a horse - to work hard - to be a go getter.

We have spent some time visiting various 'living museums' where people work at farms or homesteads from various periods in our history. I think the the most famous of these is Williamsburg VA. Another place is in TN and these people worked a farm using 1850s techniques. We stopped to talk to the young men plowing the field and breaking in a new mule. The mule clearly had had enough for a stretch and stopped. The young men said she likely would only plow another row or two and then would be done for the day. They explained that the mule was getting used to the harness and would stop when she began to get sore. Like a good athlete she builds up the muscles and endurance over time. I inquired why they didn't use a horse. They said that a horse was more expensive, ate more, and wasn't as smart. A horse could be worked to death, a mule couldn't. The mule has a reputation as being stubborn because they will not work beyond their endurance - they won't work themselves into the ground.

Like many I know, we pride ourselves on our work ethic. We think less of those that don't put in the hours, or grind out the widget. We often forget that we should work to support our life, instead we make our work our life.  Maybe it is because we want more stuff, maybe it is to feel useful, maybe it is because we define ourselves by our title. We all have reasons. But on this trip, I am learning to stop when my muscles hurt and that I need less stuff. I am learning that I no longer want to define myself by my work, I want my work to support my life. I want to have time to live my life. I am learning it is okay to not be so driven, I am becoming a mule.