Millions of voters went to the polls on Tuesday to decide hundreds of key races across the United States ranging from governorships (New Jersey and Virginia) to state supreme court seats (Pennsylvania) to mayoral contests (New York City, Detroit and Seattle), as well as lots of statewide offices and school boards.

Jay Leno is credited with suggesting “Politics is just show business for ugly people.” It’s a cynical quip that nevertheless points to the theatrics of the electoral process. Politicians come in all shapes and sizes these days, but whether liberal or conservative, they all share one thing in common.

Whether running for commissioner or coroner, or a seat in the state house or the White House, every elected official takes a chance by putting themselves out there and their political fate in the hands of voters. Love them or despise them, they have guts and gumption. Some call it “chutzpah” – nerve and verve in the face of opposition.

Half of the candidates on yesterday’s ballots woke up this morning on the losing side. Some lost by a little – and some by a lot. What does it feel like to be rejected so publicly?

After Sir Winston Churchill lost his bid for reelection as prime minister of the United Kingdom in July of 1945, despite having just helped lead the British empire to victory in World War II, King George VI offered him the “Order of the Garter.” This was the highest honor of chivalry. Churchill declined, quipping, “How can I accept the ‘Order of the Garter,’ when the people of England have just given me the ‘Order of the Boot?’”

Your name might not have been on any ballot yesterday, but we all face our own metaphorical version of “election day” in life. In fact, destinies hang in the balance every 24 hours. The day after elections is a good time to be reminded about the honor, nobility and importance of risk and effort.

My old pastor and friend, Dr. Jim Singleton of First Presbyterian Church here in Colorado Springs, once told the story of a young man who visited a hardware store in the country. The establishment had wood plank floors. As he was talking with the owner at the counter, he noticed there was a dog sitting over near the cash register. Only the aging yellow Lab was quietly groaning.

“What’s wrong with your dog?” asked the concerned customer. “Is he hurt?” “Not so much,” replied the owner. “He’s just sitting on a nail.” There was a pause. “Well, why doesn’t he get up and move?” the man countered. “Because I guess it doesn’t hurt enough for him to change positions,” answered the proprietor.

Win or lose, Tuesday’s candidates got up off the nail. They spent money and time and risked their reputations. They’re deserving of our appreciation, if not our vote.

What proverbial nail are you sitting on? Maybe you need some nerve and verve to get up and get moving, to make a change. It may well be time to transform your exhaustion and exasperation into action.

Rejection can be a powerful source of motivation. Walt Disney was fired from his animation job in 1919 and told he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” His next company went bankrupt before he finally began stringing together a few successes.  

Soichiro Honda attempted to sell piston rings to Toyota, but was rejected due to their poor quality. He later applied for a job and was rejected. Rather than mope in misery, he decided to build his own business. The Honda Motor Co. was born.

Here in Colorado Springs, Spencer Penrose’s offer to buy the Antler’s Hotel was rejected – so he went and built the Broadmoor Hotel instead.

Last week’s announced departure of the Rocky Mountain Vibes leaves our city without baseball – but also offers an opening for an enterprising concern to bring back the sport. Maybe even in a new downtown ballpark, where it belongs.

There are nails everywhere, but only the foolish voluntarily keep sitting on them.

Tuesday’s winners will go and govern and the wise ones who came up short will go on to pursue new things. Rejection provides an opportunity for self-reflection. Setbacks are the set-up to comebacks. In politics and in life, Churchill was right: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal.” Not surprisingly, the British Bulldog returned to 10 Downing Street in 1951, vindicated. Sound familiar?

Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura.