Dare
A few months ago, I watched a TED video featuring Brene Brown (http://www.brenebrown.com/) speaking on her years of research on vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame. I am now reading her book “Daring Greatly”. She starts the book with the following quote from Theodore Roosevelt that is my daily reminder to dare greatly in all that I do – work, play, relationships.
The Man in the Arena, Theodore Roosevelt
“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.” – Excerpt from the speech “Citizenship In A Republic delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910
On Saturday, I ran the “Run & Dye” 5k to support a friend who was running her first 5k – daring something new and different. 8000 people gathering to throw powdered dye at each other – crazy, fun and memorable. What an honor to be invited to be a part of someone’s first event, to share the victory, to be in the arena – dye and all.
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou
Today, I ran a half marathon with my “Sole Sisters” Jeanne and Linda – a beautiful morning, celebrating the joy of movement, distance and good friends cheering each other to the finish line and to share more time in the “arena”.
As I get older, I choose to surround myself with people who dare me, feed my spirit and who want to be in the arena with me to enjoy life, to try harder despite the odds and to never, never, never give up.
Thanks Suz, Jeanne and Linda for being with me in the arena this weekend daring greatly, enjoying each moment.
Awesome and amazing! Thank you so much for sharing – watched Brene Brown on Super Soul Sunday today & heard that quote again. Excellent post!!
Thanks – really enjoying her book and looking forward to more. It’s wonderful to discover new insights. I also enjoy Super Soul Sunday too.
Good for you! I saw this TED talk and was just as inspired and encouraged. In my case, it was to begin to sew once again. To dare myself to treat this ‘hobby’ as the art form that it is. m.
Outstanding! Thanks for sharing and showing the way.
You look fabulous with a purple face. Today I painted my porch furniture purple because life is better lived in color.
Best make up day yet – looking for that same shade for everyday use. 🙂
I was just writing in my journal about how I’m going to need a lot of courage to get thru an upcoming event. I put my pen down, turned on the computer to check email and there was your blog. Amazing!
Very cool. Enjoy it before, during and after. I was pining whether it would rain so I didn’t enjoy the before as much as I could have.
I was lucky to have you by my side. While it was probably the slowest run EVER for you, it was a good warm up to your REAL run on Sunday. Thanks for your support, dear friend! We look HOT in that picture!!
Thank you, Kathie for sharing your time with me! I love Teddy Roosevelt’s speech. It is one of I think of often when trying something out of my comfort zone.
I’m guessing it’s still “no” to another duathalon? There’s plenty more outside our comfort zone.
I love Brene’. I got to meet her in December at a conference and she is so real.
I enjoy the idea of surrounding ourselves with people who challenge us to make our lives richer. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for commenting. We have a lot to celebrate as we unfold into our true self.
You might be interested in this blogger. He is studying the Daring series
http://www.stevewiens.com/
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the great post. That’s the first time I’ve read the whole “Man in the Arena” quote. It seems like our culture celebrates the critic, the armchair quarterback, more than the person who tries and errs, who strives to do the deeds. Too bad.
Keep doing the deeds and stay in the arena. Thanks for sharing!