Below is a portion of my remarks at our Closing Exercises for our 8th Grade, June 2013:
I want you to be brave and not shy away from a career, a friendship, or a new experience because it appears difficult and you worry about what others may say when you try something new. Especially when we are young, what others say about us or what we think others might say about us can be all consuming. Social media magnifies your exposure and vulnerability to other’s criticisms. However, remember that it is the journey; the very process of trying that will define your life, much more than your achievements. I admire tenacity in the face of criticism. As President Theodore Roosevelt poignantly expressed by saying “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 at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” I want you to live a life in the arena, where you won’t ever wonder “what if…” but rather will proudly look back at a life where you valiantly pursued experiences to answer your questions and hearts desires.
I want you to be brave and not shy away from a career, a friendship, or a new experience because it appears difficult and you worry about what others may say when you try something new. Especially when we are young, what others say about us or what we think others might say about us can be all consuming. Social media magnifies your exposure and vulnerability to other’s criticisms. However, remember that it is the journey; the very process of trying that will define your life, much more than your achievements. I admire tenacity in the face of criticism. As President Theodore Roosevelt poignantly expressed by saying “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 at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” I want you to live a life in the arena, where you won’t ever wonder “what if…” but rather will proudly look back at a life where you valiantly pursued experiences to answer your questions and hearts desires.
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