Emma Hindle: Dream Big and Do Not Give Up, Ever
by Dr Philip Hoskin
Sedbergh School recently had the honour and pleasure of hosting Emma Hindle, a British international equestrian. Emma first rode for her country in 2004, competing in that year’s World Equestrian Games, and later represented Great Britain in Dressage at both the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games.
The title of Emma’s talk was: “Dream Big and Do Not Give Up, Ever.” Emma’s wisdom and insight flowed abundantly throughout her lecture. Drawing extensively upon her own incredible experiences as an Olympian, devoted daughter, and mother, Emma challenged every member of the audience to plot the best possible path for their own lives. Emma’s advice was succinctly distilled as follows:
- To laugh often and much;
- To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
- To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
- To appreciate beauty;
- To find the best in others;
- To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
- To know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here.
This, she said, is to have succeeded.
Since Friday, I’ve found myself replaying so many of her wonderful lines in my mind:
- “How you play the game, not the scores on the board, is how you will be remembered in life.”
- “It is about what you do, not what is done for you or to you. That, for me, is the key.”
- “Make it the journey that matters, not the destination. Take the time to enjoy that journey. Make dreams that have no limitations.
- “I’m afraid there are many parking spaces on the road; rest at the end, not in the middle.”
- “Don’t be the victim of the have-nots and cannot-dos. Get on with what you do have, what you can do, and be grateful for those things.”
Throughout her talk, Emma challenged us to identify our talents, passions, and strengths. She urged us to have the determination to take life’s hits and then get back up. Emma drew upon her wealth of experience, painting a picture that winners, champions, leaders, heroes, and icons are not born; they are made. They are shaped, carved, and refined by their lives. In Emma’s words, “True growth doesn’t happen from easy times and doing nothing; it comes from the punches that life throws at us and builds the strength and resilience we need to learn. These challenges keep us building our best lives and give us an opportunity to grow.”
Emma closed by reminding us that we all have a gift and urged us to find it. It is up to us to decide what we are going to do with those gifts and, ultimately, how we write the story of our own lives.
