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In the Arena

 


On April 23rd, 1910, Teddy Roosevelt gave what would become one of the most well-known speeches of his career. A portion of that address, known as “The Man in the Arena,” provides a wonderful depiction of courage as Roosevelt contrasts the brave and daring souls who step “in the Arena” with the ubiquitous spectators who watch and criticize from the stands.

Roosevelt notes that those in the Arena do not merely risk failure, they experience it. He does not mince words. He describes the courageous as someone “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.”

Setbacks and defeat are inevitable for anyone who seeks to venture out into the unknown to accomplish anything of importance. It will be accompanied by pain, hardship and rejection. It is not a matter of if, but when. That is what the Arena offers, not the potential for failure and heartache, but the promise of it.

You are going to get your hind parts kicked if you choose to step into the Arena. It will happen. And that’s when the sneers and jeers of the crowd will be the loudest. “We told you so.” “You were bound to fail.” “You don’t have what it takes.” They will hurl insults and opinions laced with resentment and maybe even hatred.

Some will want you to fail. And they will celebrate when it happens. Why? Because the simple act of you stepping into your Arena reminds them of their own cowardice keeping them on the sidelines. They disparage you, hoping they can drown out their own still, small voice that is wishing they had the courage to stand with you in the Arena. To fail alongside you.

Do not feel sorry for yourself when disaster strikes in the Arena. It is what you signed up for and it is only temporary. Your wounds will heal. The pain will subside. And you will be knocked down again, but you have the choice, the choice to stand. So your pity must not be for yourself, but for the spectators. Those “cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theirs is the truest defeat. 


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