The concept of the Wheel of Privilege really resonates with me. I've spent most of my life somewhere between the middle and outer rings-kind of teetering between being low-income and middle class, along with large size and mental health issues. The financial ebb and flow has definitely shaped how I approach work and life. For our team at Healing Horse Touch, it's made us deeply value every single dollar and taught us how to stretch those dollars with care and intention.
One of the biggest positives that's come out of this financial tightrope is the creativity it inspires. When resources are limited, we don't have the luxury of just buying a solution-we have to find one. And more often than not, we do!
Just yesterday, we ran into a problem with our truck: the brake line rusted through. Buying parts and paying for labor could've been hundreds of dollars we simply don't have. Thankfully, my husband has mechanical skills and was able to replace the brake line himself. But after that, we needed to bleed the brakes, and the kit that makes that job easier wasn't in the budget. So we turned to good ol' YouTube-and wouldn't you know it, we found a simple DIY method that worked beautifully!
To me, that's the gift of being resourceful under financial pressure. It pushes you to think outside the box and proves that lack doesn't mean failure-it just means finding another way. In our work, this means we're always thinking creatively, staying humble, and constantly looking for ways to make healing and connection through horses accessible-no matter what's in the bank account.
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Diana Kelley
Executive Director
https://HealingHorseTouch.comKenneth, MN United States
Discover Healing, Connection, and Renewal through Horses.
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