Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Sue Bowles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Melanie Sue, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Many years ago, I stumbled upon this quote, or a similar version of it: “The Purpose of Life is to Live a Life of Purpose.” From Robert Byrne, I believe. This aligned perfectly with the way I was raised. My dad was not very tolerant of hearing, “I can’t do it.” Or “I’m not good enough.” He used to say, “This isn’t about you. Take the focus off yourself. The task or the goal is the focus.” When you break that down, it’s a really powerful message. My dad said a whole bunch of other really smart things. But, as an adult, I honed his philosophies into my intentions. What am I trying to accomplish? What is my purpose? And thus, the quote above added even more inspiration. I truly believe that we are happiest in life when we take the focus off ourselves: what we have, what we don’t have, what we can or can’t do. Instead, find ways to give back without expecting anything in return, Ask yourself how you’d like to add good to the world, it can be simple or grand, and then remove your limitation from the equation. Nearly 40 years ago, I wanted to open a sanctuary for at risk horses. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, dreaming about it, I envisioned it and saw it in my mind. Which, looking back, was absurd. I was a complete novice in the equestrian world – I had zero experience! So many people told me I was foolish, I was going to fail. But I turned my focus away from myself (and what I didn’t know) and put my intentions, my actions, into opening the sanctuary. Today, Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary stands as one of the most successful, longest existing facilities for abused/neglected horses in the United States. When you are determined, you find a way.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Aside from being the founder of Proud Spirit, I am also an author. I’ve written three nonfiction books about the sanctuary and the 100s of horses and other animals who have come to us. Just recently, I wrote a work of fiction – for kids! (Adults are loving it , too). I’m so excited about this story. There is a gentle theme of inclusion; the family is mixed race, but that does not define the story. It takes place in the rural south. There are peach biscuits, a mystery, long-buried secrets, and a shocking discovery in the attic of Grandpa’s barn. The best part? A bedraggled little donkey who adds his own style of shenanigans and hi-jinks. And, of course, horses. The title is: LIBERTY BISCUIT. And I just finished writing a sequel. It will be released in the fall of 2024.
My writing, my books, are my brand, in a way. They speak of empathy, compassion, and kindness to animals. Something I am very passionate about. It is the bedrock of our sanctuary. Proceeds from sales help us do what we do to help animals in need.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I sorta/kinda don’t think it matters what someone else’s qualities or skills are – instead, I believe it is profoundly important to acknowledge your own talents.
We all have fear and doubt and negative voices in our head. But also, we all have something we’re really good at – all of us. We all have a light that shines. A super-power, if you will. Mine? I have unlimited patience for helping animals, who have been abused, heal both physically and emotionally. Allow yourself the confidence to give whatever your super-power is a proverbial nod. Be brave. Acknowledge it! Even if it’s only to yourself. Believe me when I tell you, you can use that empowerment to move forward. To take a step. Action diminishes fear and self-doubt. That, in turn, gives you more freedom to develop and enhance your confidence, and make your dreams come true. Get out of your own way. Take the focus off yourself and put it on your goals.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
Every situation will be different, but for me, I am most successful when I concentrate on my strengths.
Years ago, after completing the manuscript for my first book, I didn’t have a clue about what to do next. How do I find a publisher? This was waaay back in the dark ages (HA!) before the internet and social media and Google. I had recently read a book by a woman who wrote non-fiction about horses. My book was non-fiction about horses. I thought she’d be the perfect person to mentor me on how to navigate the world of publishing. I contacted her and we set up a day and time to speak on the phone.
One of the first questions she asked me was, “Do you have a degree in English? An MFA or at least a bachelors degree?”
“Um,” I muttered. “I’m a tenth grade drop out. I . . . I struggled terribly in school. But I’m passionate about writing. And I believe in this book.”
There was silence on the other end. Then she blurted out, “You will NEVER get published. My advice is to put that manuscript aside, go back to school and get a degree.”
We chatted for a few more moments, I thanked her for her time, then we said goodbye. And then I stood in the barn, looking out over the pastures at the horses living in peace at our sanctuary, and I pondered what to do next. I knew, without a doubt, that I would not go back to school, and certainly not college. I knew myself too well. Was I going to allow what she said defeat me? No, I was not. I was going to focus on the goal, not my (according to her) failings. I would put my energy into my intentions.
I went on to find a traditional publisher who offered me a contract. And that first book, THE HORSES OF PROUD SPIRIT, sold over 10,000 copies shortly after being released. I wrote two more books for the same publisher. All three books are still selling, all these years later. And now more recently, as mentioned earlier, I’ve written two novels for kids.
Acknowledge your own strengths and talents, and move forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.horsesofproudspirit.org
- Instagram: MelanieSueBowles
- Facebook: MelanieSueBowles
- Other: My publisher: www.horseandriderbooks.com
Image Credits
Melanie Sue Bowles
