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 and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, 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 he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Theodore Roosevelt
3 comments:
I agree. Well said.
Peggy
Boy, that Teddy really knew a thing or two, huh. Trouble is now day's we are almost all convinced that failure of any sort is compleatly unacceptable. What ever we do, or whatever the kids do, or the politicians, or the athleates all must be done with absolute perfection or not even attempted.
The only place you can sing out loud nowdays is in your shower or when you're alone in your car or house. After all if any one heard you're croaky voice they'd be offended by your lack of singing ability. Forget that it just plain feels good to sing out loud. Or play ball, or dance or even write if you are clumsy at it or unsure of the rules.
No one is really allowed to fail any more. Even on their first tries.
Sad ain't it.
Speeking of which...ever tried to typ on a keyboard with a big ol' brace on your left wrist? Thank goodness for the backspace key!
I read somewhere that "if we let the fear of failing interupt our planned deeds, then we have, indeed, failed." I'm thinking that the only person who who can absolutely stop me from trying to make progress toward my goal is me. And, if I surround myself with people who are positive and encouraging, even I cannot stand in my way.
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