It Is Not The Critic Who Counts

Not had the time to post much this week, but I'll share with you a quote I have been motivated by for a long time now. I used to be reluctant to take on new challenges or do things I wasn't familiar with. Well, eventually that changed and this quote reminds me to always accept new challenges.

If you have a hobby that others don't understand and often criticize, be it collecting figures, listening to J-Pop or learning Japanese, just remember that these people more than likely don't have a hobby of their own and are just jealous you've found your passion.

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 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 up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for 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 knew neither victory nor defeat. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

jrfiction said on Sun 2009/04/19 16:55 JST:

That is quite an inspirational passage Chris, thanks for sharing.

yonasu said on Mon 2009/04/20 01:43 JST:

Agreed! Makes me want to do great things. I have hobbies but I feel like I haven't found my passion yet, I'm working on it though!

Jamaipanese said on Mon 2009/04/20 06:06 JST:

thanks for sharing Chris, trust me I can relate

Amy Smith said on Thu 2009/04/23 19:05 JST:

My Boss just sent me this to cheer me up after a disagreement with a colleague.
I HAVE A GREAT BOSS!!!!

reesan said on Sat 2009/05/09 15:59 JST:

Cool quote Chris!

beenalee said on Wed 2009/05/13 02:29 JST:

Thanks! I really needed this. ^^ It just so happened that I'm experiencing the same thing with my new-found passion for the Japanese language and culture. Some people, even a few of my friends, don't get it at all.

Chris Gaunt said on Wed 2009/05/13 12:26 JST:

I'm glad the quote helped. Your life will be a whole lot more richer for sticking to your passions and ignoring the doubters.