This week, I’ve had the joy of witnessing some real-life animal psychology—and it reminded me just how much humans and animals share the same resistance to change. 

Our ponies, Monty and Elvis, have lived happily together in their own field for quite some time. They’re good buddies, often seen side by side, grooming each other or simply standing in comfortable silence. They both know that Elvis is King: the smaller of the two, but very much the boss. So all is perfectly balanced and comfortable in their world. 

Then this week, we introduced two new horses—Big Ben, a former racer who towers over me, and Little Star, who may be small in height, but certainly not in width! I joked with his owner that he looks like a furry hippopotamus. He’s simply gorgeous. 

When we led Ben and Star into the field, Elvis and Monty were stunned! They came galloping over, snorting and stamping, outraged that two strangers were trespassing and munching on the lush grass they believed was rightfully theirs. Monty performed a magnificent display of indignation, while Elvis ran circles, stopping to glare at the newcomers. Ben and Star were briefly unsettled but soon became more interested in the grass than the drama. You can see the video below for the initial introduction. 

By later in the afternoon, things were calm. The fence acted as a safe barrier, giving everyone time to assess, adjust, and breathe. However Big Ben struggled through the first night. He missed his girlfriends, just a field away, so he called out to them, loudly, all night long! 

Two days later all four horses have settled and have been spotted standing quietly together at the fence, heads low, almost as if sharing secrets. The snorting and stomping is over. They’ve accepted each other and a new level of community.  

Watching them, I couldn’t help but think how similar we are. When something—or someone—new enters our space, our first instinct is to defend what we know. Our routines and relationships give us a sense of safety, and change threatens that equilibrium. It’s easy to confuse comfort with security. But real growth—whether in a herd or a human heart—comes from curiosity, openness, and the courage to let new connections form.

Monty and Elvis didn’t lose their friendship when Ben and Star arrived; they gained a larger herd, a richer life, and new stories to share over the fence. Perhaps we could all feel an expansion, if we dared to make space for change.

So my reflection today is that you too could have a wonderful opportunity waiting for you. Perhaps there is more clarity, more joy, and more connection waiting to be claimed. But you have to stop wasting your energy snorting and shouting at the fence line!

Change is inevitable, but suffering resistance to it is optional. Let the old energy fear of the new fall away like autumn leaves. Trust that crossing the invisible fence line of resistance will only lead you to a richer, more expansive life.