9.04.2013

What I'm reading...

This quote resonates with me...



THE MAN IN THE ARENA
                                          Excerpt from the speech "Citizenship In A Republic"
                                          delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris, France on 23 April, 1910

                                          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. 

How many times do you find yourself feeling exactly like this?  I do, a lot.  I am vocal, outspoken, opinionated- and I put myself out there.  Not always to the best reception, but I stay true to me and what I believe in.  I could hide in the stands and watch, but that wouldn't be staying true to who I am.

If you haven't heard of Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly- then run to a library, book store, down load it onto your Kindle- but read it.


This is one of those books that I find myself reading with a highlighting pen in hand, taking notes, nodding in agreement and sometimes throwing my head back and yelling, "Yes!  Exactly!".

I love those kinds of books.  Ones that resonate with my soul, align with my beliefs, and uncover things about myself that I couldn't put into words.


8 comments:

  1. Thanks for the quote this morning and the book tip. I will be passing these on to a special person today.

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  2. You had me at vocal, outspoken and opinionated. But is this one of those deep thinking books?? Because I also suffer from simple mindedness... :)

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    1. No, it really isn't. The funny thing is that the author is a researcher and was so against delving into her own issues with vulnerability. She keeps it simple, but it so hit home with me!!

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  3. I tried the highlighting thing, but when I put the Kindle back in the case it all wipes off.

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    1. ;) Let me guess, you'll be here all week and I should try the veal?

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  4. Amazing! A friend loaned me this book and I'm almost finished. I love it...have you watched her TED talk?

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    1. Yes! She is a powerful speaker as well. I am so loving this book and all the new techniques I am learning :)

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Thanks so much for popping in. I appreciate all of your lovely comments...Tricia