The idiom “get back on the horse that bucked you” exists for a reason. Trust me. I’ve been bucked off a horse. It leaves you with the distinct desire to not climb back into the saddle.

This phrase reminds us that failure hurts. It also encourages us to spend less time being anxious dreading the next ride by getting back on the horse quickly.

The other way to avoid that anxiety is to give up. Never ride again.

Getting back on the horse overcomes the momentary pain.

Giving something up forever… is forever.

There are things we lose interest in or passion for. Walking away from these things isn’t tragic. Then there are things we truly loved, but the pain of an early failure scared or embarrassed us. This also isn’t tragic. When that failure causes us to give up on what we love, that is the tragedy…

Get back on that horse.