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“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.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

Let’s break it down a bit more:

1. “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”
2. 1. Meaning: It is not about the people who armchair quarterback. Who point out the shortcomings of those trying something. 
   2. There will always be those who sit back and point at the gaps or errors we make in life. They have a place because without them, we may not always find the fuel to press on in the dark
   1. Meaning: The person who deserves the recognition and support is the one grinding. The one busting their ass to achieve some mission or goal. The one who fails and drives forward. The one who gets knocked down and valiantly stands back up. THAT is the one who deserves the credit
3. “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;”
   1. Meaning: The person who knows the joys and pains of the process. The one who passionately believes in the pursuit of their path. They are the one who knows the excitement of success and at the very least, if they fail, they will do so with dignity for they put the action into place to dare greatly. 
4. “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.”
   1. It is very easy to sit back and “sharpshoot” others. Whether in their parenting styles, career paths, hobbies or anything they pursue. In the end, you are wasting your energy sharpshooting them. 
   2. Speaking of wasting time, you are absolutely wasting your time by being in the arena looking at those in the crowd and making your next move based on your perception of what you think they want you to do or what they say you should do. 
5. Final Thoughts: