If not me, who? If not now, when?

When courage is needed, ask yourself, “If not me, who? If not now, when?”

I was reading a blog post about Animal Angels and their investigation, someone put the above in their comment. I thought it rather fitting because that's the same thought I have every time I attend an auction.

Granted I can't always bring someone home, as was the case this past Friday. I felt miserable for not standing up to do the right thing but my hands are tied because of our numbers. Granted, I could adopt out some of the younger horses but will people be mad when I insist that my little fillies NEVER be bred? I guess that's why I'm a sanctuary and not a rescue, although if I go in knowing that a horse I pull from auction will be adopted instead of a permanent resident, I could possibly get that thought through my thick skull and be willing to let them go. But I digress.

I go to these auctions to see what types of horses are there. Because someone needs to be there. Someone needs to remember them. As was the case with Bo and his herd, I was there and remembered some of the horses and could easily identify them because of their beautiful markings (and I have a knack for remembering certain horses). Even if their fate is lost, someone needs to remember them for the beautiful animals that they are.

And if I don't step up and take the few that I do, who will? If I hadn't pulled Bo, Savanna, or Sahara? Who would have? I think possibly Savanna would have gone to a home but in the end she would have ended up back at an auction after gaining weight. Who wants a standoffish mare who cribs like it's going out of style? Who wants an emaciated horse that will take months to return to proper weight? Who wants to take in the old horses and watch them grow old? If I don't, who will?

If I don't put my neck out there and take a leap of faith on these horses, when will I ever do it? Now is the time. If you wait for the best moment, the right moment, when everything is right and the stars are aligned, it'll never happen. It's that same saying -- You live your life while planning your life -- or something along those lines. I challenge everyone to Pay It Forward just once and see how it goes. Granted the return might not be as satisfying at first, but later it will.

Do you have the courage? Ask yourself, “If not me, who? If not now, when?”