Trotting On

When I’m not at my insurance desk, you can find me in the barn with my horses. You choose your hobbies, and they’re supposed to be fun; however, they often evolve into serious interests. If you want to be competitive, you have to put in the work. Equestrian sports are no different than any other sport. You start because you’re interested in the sport, it’s fun, and you enjoy spending your free time doing it. Over time, you get more competitive and your desire to improve grows. You have to train, put in the blood, swear, and tears, and it won’t always be easy. It won’t always be fun.

I came across a quote from a horse trainer this week who said, “you can trot and cry at the same time. And if you can’t, this isn’t the sport for you.” It can (and it will) be challenging at times, and you’re allowed to be unhappy with that as long as you keep going. You signed up for this. You wanted this, and if you can’t hang in there through the tough stuff, you certainly don’t deserve the reward you’re working for.

The quote hung in the back of my mind throughout the week. Work isn’t always easy, but if you can’t continue to do your best despite the tough stuff, this isn’t the job for you. Relationships, homeownership, pets, health goals, whatever it is that you choose to participate in cannot be expected to be perfect all the time. But if you want the reward, you must “trot” through the hard times.