the man in the arena

we should keep this famous quote from theodore roosevelt close to our hearts as we usher in the New Year. we should be men of action, not talk. we should always remember that glory and honour come to those who expend their efforts in a noble and worthy cause. 2010 was not without its ups and downs but, all in all, it was a great year. here's to hoping 2011 will be the same if not better.

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.