Gold

"If you fail to strike gold, it's time to move on".

I found this quote in a book review, but unfortunately, I can't remember what book it was.  It's a reference to the spirit of the West, the ideal of people of the frontier, where after trying to succeed at an enterprise, if success proves elusive, it's simply time to wrap up and move on, rather than indulging in introspective and noxious feelings of self-pity. I like its brave and simple message of courage.  It would be tempting to stop and get caught in a loop of guilt, shame, anger, or whatever other negative emotion our human nature offers as an escape to the simple and naked truth that "I have failed". It takes courage to accept the truth when it's ugly. But it's only by accepting the truth that we can learn from our mistakes and continue with our life.