The Man in the Arena

This week I wish to share with you an excerpt from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt. "The Man in the Arena" contains words to reflect on and live by. I share these powerful words so that in hard times, you can turn to them and may they give you the strength you need to face what life throws at you.

Roosevelt proclaimed:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

These powerful words remind us that it is easy to criticize and judge from the sidelines. But the ones who deserve respect are those willing to get into the arena and work hard in pursuit of worthy goals, despite setbacks. Progress demands the courage to risk failure by repeatedly striving in earnest.

I hope Roosevelt's perspective gives you motivation in your own battles and endeavors. Rather than perfection, the true test is continually showing up and making the effort. That is how the greatest human achievements have arisen.