Thursday, August 10, 2006

Inspiration In The Arena

I don't want to say much about my wonderful family here (especially without their permission), but I can't share this entry without mentioning my only brother. He's a world-champion pool player and a craftsman of fabulous, gorgeous, custom cues. The road to success in his chosen endeavors has been fraught with ups and downs all along the way, just like it is for writers and, frankly, anyone with a dream and a goal.

He once shared with me something that kept him encouraged when things were not going so well. It's one of the most inspiring pieces I've ever read and in case you've never seen it, I wanted to share. In case you have, read it again. It's worth it.

The words are an excerpt from one of Theodore Roosevelt's speeches CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC (the entirety of which is also worth reading). This segment is commonly known as 'The Man in the Arena'.

"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."

-- Theodore Roosevelt

CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC,
'Man In The Arena'
April 23, 1910

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hello,

When ever I surf on web I come to this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]You have really contiributed very good info here mrsmittysworld.blogspot.com. I am sure due to busy scedules we really do not get time to care about our health. Let me present you with one fact here. Recent Scientific Research points that about 90% of all U.S. adults are either chubby or overweight[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Therefore if you're one of these citizens, you're not alone. Its true that we all can't be like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, and have sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now next question is how you can achive quick weight loss? You can easily lose with with little effort. Some improvement in of daily activity can help us in losing weight quickly.

About me: I am author of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also mentor who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under difficult training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for fast weight loss.