Just because we can get behind the wheel of a car built to go 200+ mph, doesn’t mean we should drive that fast. Same for riding horses: Although we might wear a cowboy hat, this doesn’t mean we should jump hurdles unless we have been adequately trained.    

What we can do and what is prudent to do may be two different things. Knowing the difference is maturity, which can come at any age—and which is also a synonym for adulthood or the state of being fully developed in mind and body as a person.    

Now, this is not to say we shouldn’t race in the Indy 500 or the Kentucky Derby!    However, to do either, or anything else we desire, we need to study and prepare, understand the risks and be willing to fail in our endeavor.    

But on that note, remember that any initial endeavor may be coupled with failure. Still, this is not the same as defeat. I’ve failed many times and so have you. We all have! Failed in relationships, controlling tempers, business, healthy diet choices, exercise—the list is long and personal.    

Yet as long as we haven’t allowed these failures to defeat us, we’ve grown. We’ve dusted ourselves off and tried again. Frankly, in many ways, we’ve won the race and earned our place in the Winner’s Circle of life. It’s time to notice your achievements—of which you have many—and enjoy a bit of a victory celebration!  

Don’t wait. Rejoice in your life’s triumphs to date. Count them. Don’t linger on the failures, except to find the lesson and confirm your strength. Acknowledge your achievements. Honor who you are and who you’ve become as a result of rising up after getting bucked time and time again.

PS: I figured a c1967 Mustang fastback fit a story about cars…and horses!

This is an excerpt from my book, The Silver Disobedience Playbook: 365 Ideas for Living & Loving Agelessly. I’m @DianGriesel aka @SilverDisobedience