I have no idea if anyone ever reads this blog, so if you do, please let me know.
This is something that sticks in my head, and I'd like for everyone associated with this unit to at least take a look. I was introduced to this when I was in my early teens (no, I wasn't there when the speech was made - I'm not quite that old), and it changed my outlook on everything. I was reminded of it in something I read, and wanted to bring it to you all.
Theodore Roosevelt delivered the speech entitled “Citizenship in a Republic” at the Sorbonne in Paris on April 23, 1910. The speech is popularly known as “The Man in the Arena.”
Read this out loud, not to yourself. Stand tall. Stand proudly. Don't just say the words — feel the words:
"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."
Having now read this, remember:
- The best way to be different is to do the things other people refuse to do.
- The best way to life the life you want to live is to stop worrying about what other people think.
- The best way to succeed is to out-think, out-hustle, and out-work everyone else.
- You may not be as experienced, as well-funded, as well-connected, or as talented... but you can always do more than other people are willing to do. Even when everything else seems stacked against you, effort and persistence can still be your competitive advantages — and they may be the only advantages you truly need.
- (but don't be afraid to ask for the funding, make the connections, and develop the talents)
- Dare greatly. Know victory. Know defeat.
- And every day, commit to living the life you want to live.