“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 and comes short again and
again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does
actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great
devotion, 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
he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold
and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
-Theodore
Roosevelt
My brother
was an incredibly talented man and never knew it. He was an amazing writer.
Wrote VERY much like Rod Serling. And, he was a prolific writer. An idea one
minute, and a complete story the next.
One day,
in a particularly courageous moment, he decided to send what was my favorite
out to a publisher. In short time he received a rejection. When I asked him
about it, he simply said, “They don’t like my writing.” End of story, end of
writing career. Not one more word on paper.
He
accepted only defeat and on the word of just one person. My heart broke for
him, because he was a brilliant writer and had only to keep the courage, await
the victory, stand firm in the knowledge that his was a worthy cause.
How many
others give up with the first rejection and remain cold and timid souls instead
of jumping into the arena and fighting to victory?
And how
many will fight for their dreams? Continue on in the face of defeat to fight
another day.
Most of us
can tell who you are. You stand tall, your face is marred by the dust and sweat
and blood of determination as you hold your first contract in your hand.
Based on an earlier post from 2012...Linda S. Glaz
5 comments:
A very powerful message, Linda, and words I truly appreciate as I'm entering a whole different phase in my life, plus looking to make some changes.
My father-in-law was a very talented man in both painting and writing. Yet, I've been told that when a judge failed in declaring him a winner in an art contest he'd stopped entering other contests. And, when a magazine passed on one of his short stories he'd stopped writing altogether.
I'm wearing my brave shoes lately, and plan on keeping them on!
Thanks for this inspiring post.
You're so right, Linda! If we give up, we don't know what good thing could be around the corner
and hopefully we'll get better at writing each time we try!
Thanks for sharing and continuing to inspire!
Breaks my heart to hear stories of folks giving up. NEVER. No, not ever...never ever give up. If you are called to write, then write. If you're called to paint, then paint. You can't quit because of another individual's opinion.
Appreciate the clear call- don't quit! Stay the course. Every dream (destiny) is worth the battle.
Amen, Diana. Every dream is worth the time.
Post a Comment