I grew up riding horses on our family ranch and the thing I most remember my parents saying to me after I’d fallen or been bucked off is, “get back on the horse.” Right then and there. And I always did.
If you didn’t get back in the saddle the price you’d pay was a persistent future fear that would settle into your bones (not to mention a horse who thought they could get away with it again.) So I’d dust myself off and climb back into the saddle. This was a training in the practice of resiliency – making a habit of rising up from the cloud of dust and going again.
If you’ve been bucked by life lately, if you’re feeling like you’ve failed, if you’re feeling gun shy, if you are doing that diabolical dance of one-step-forward-two-steps-back, I FEEL YOU. Take a moment. Take a breath. Take it for what it is. Re-evaluate. Reset. Reboot. Change your tack. Ask for help. Think it through. And then, get back on your horse.
I’m not saying keep going at all costs, or push yourself just to push yourself. I’m saying, don’t settle into the setback. When the stakes are high. When it matters. When you know you can do better. Take a hot minute to gather your wits and then get back in the saddle. You got this. There’s something wonderful coming, some breakthrough, some new vista, some fresh experience, so giddyup and RIDE ON. Show that (metaphorical) horse (and yourself) who is boss.
