Roosevelt Was Right About the Arena!
Citizenship in a Republic is the title of a speech given by Teddy Roosevelt, former President of the United States, at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, on April 23, 1910. His most famous part of that speech is often referred to as, “The Man in the Arena.” The following is the passage in that speech that left an indelible mark on America:
““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.””
We have plenty of critics! Far too many! Me? I like the men and women in the “arena” who are doing what they can. They work hard. They roll their sleeves up and get dirty. They press on while others quit or criticize. Men and women who have grace and grit to not give up and instead choose to move forward by faith…these are the men and women I appreciate and respect.
Those in the arena of life also know what it’s like to fail. They understand failure because it is written into their livelihood. They had to fail in order to succeed. People who know that there is no gain without the pain are the ones who make a difference - in their families, churches, communities, workplaces, etc.
It is far better to try and to fail than to try to do nothing and succeed! General George Washington was not a great military strategist, but he had grit perhaps like no one else in American history. He was marred, and physically sick and everything was stacked against him. Yet, he did not stop, even after military defeats, and through his courage and commitment led the Continental Army to victory! That is arena living!
Admiral Perry tried to reach the North Pole with tremendous energy and effort on seven different occasions but failed. But, on the eighth voyage, he succeeded…and those on the journey with him were able to enjoy the success, as well. That is called arena living!
Thomas Edison is well known for his success in the area of electricity. What a fascinating discovery he made that has benefitted our nation and the world. But, it was not all fun and games. Edison tried to reach his goal 1,600 times before he got it right! That is arena living!
Oscar Hammerstein had five show failures before he hit it big with the marvelous musical, Oklahoma! Oklahoma ran for 2,248 performances to the grand delight of many. Additionally, the great Willie Mays did not get his first hit in the Major Leagues until his twenty-seventh at bat. Then he got a hit. Actually, Willie hit a home run! Keep swinging…that is arena living!
Americans must be strong in order to overcome our failures. We must choose to get in the arena and not give up. Stop criticizing those who are giving it their best. Falling and failing is part of the journey. Those who have gone before us setting us up for success deserve credit…not criticism.
How about you? Are you a blessing to others in your family, church, community and workplace by giving it your all? Or, are you a burden? Criticizing others, moaning and groaning, nit-picking, etc. It’s never too late to change. You still have breath. Begin where you are at. Make a difference, today.
Pray for your enemies. Pray for your leaders. Get better, not bitter when you encounter challenges. Be courageous and take that step of faith. A ship is not made for the harbor, but the open seas…get moving. And if you are getting tired and feel like you are not making a difference - remember the Apostle Paul’s words, “Don’t grow weary in doing good!” Blessings!
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