Horses have not always been an important part of my life. For years I was dedicated to gymnastics. I would train for 15 hours a week only to get home and continue to stretch and cartwheel around the house. As the years went by though, I found myself losing interested in this sport that had shaped my childhood. My body couldn't handle the constant stress and without the mental motivation and love for the sport, I lost my spark. Instead, I began to turn my attention to the horse rescue next to my neighborhood as a way of giving my body and mind time to breathe. What I wasn't expecting was to learn how valuable volunteering and caring for something is for my mental health. The Horse Protection League was located on a piece of historic property, permitted by the city to be used for a nonprofit. Much to my parent's dismay, I began dragging them out there with me every Saturday at 9 am sharp to muck out runs, groom, and turn out horses. Every Saturday I was in heaven. For a few hours a week, I would leave behind the turmoil of middle school and the stress of gymnastics to learn the value of caring, not for an animal, but for my community. For something that was bigger than me and my wants or goals. Though I knew I wasn't training these horses or actively aiding in their adoption and recovery, I knew that what I was doing was benefiting them. No matter how small that benefit may be. I was giving those horses something small but they gave me something huge; I knew perspective and joy for life. That joy is something I am eternally grateful for. It gave me the courage, not just to begin riding horses, but to return to sports. Through this sport, I found community, friends, and a determination I had not previously known. After a year of riding, I joined my trainer's Baha'i group, which planned multiple volunteer events throughout the year. Together, my friends and I would return to HPL to organize their used tack store before opening, clear out weeds, and move hay. Later, I participated in my first horse show. I had never dreamed of competing in a sport again after gymnastics, but suddenly, I was more than happy too. Now as a college student, I compete on intercollegiate teams and volunteer my time as co-president and show coordinator. When I visit home, I volunteer to help the new group of Baha'i students and even teach some lessons. My horse experience even landed me a job as a horse day camp counselor, which has allowed me to fully pay for rent while at college. My life may have moved well beyond the time when I volunteered to recover from a grueling sport, but I will never forget HPL and what it gave me. I learned the value of volunteering and that to improve my mental state I simply need to volunteer my time to a project. Even now I participate in and encourage our team members to volunteer in our local horse community. Without HPL I don't know how I would have grown past gymnastics and the mental rut I was in. I may never have participated in a sport again or learned how to balance my mental health. Now, I'm happy to say that horses are a hugely important part of my life.