No matter what you do there will ALWAYS be critics. Sometimes those critics are the people closest to you, family and friends, or that random stranger that says things that cut deep and stick with you. Does this mean you stop pursuing your dreams, alter your course to appease someone else and allow naysayers to derail your goals? HELL NO!!
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, 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 short again and again, who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows 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 know neither victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt-from a speech given in Paris 1910
I’m all for heeding good advice, but beware the intentions of the person giving it. Friend or foe, sometimes people tell you things from a bitter place in their own lives. I can’t tell you how many times people (mainly women) have told me “you look gross,” or “you’re too big.” However, I look at them and they are overweight, miserable and stuffed into their clothing like a sausage casing. I have goals, I love being strong and I’m secure enough in myself to continue doing so. Every day I bust my ass to better myself and make improvements. What gives a lazy, overweight, never stepped foot into the gym person the right to criticize? (damn that constitutional right to free speech)
Pursuing your goals takes sacrifice, discipline, courage and a ton more adjectives. You may fail and don’t be surprised when your critics are right there cheering when you do. We all fall, getting back up when you do and trying again, is a true testament of character.
If you know me, I am not one for motivational quotes and the daily barrage of rah rah rah cheerleading that can bombard your Facebook timelines, so don’t get used to this. Just a friendly reminder that whatever your goals are stay the course. Succeed or fail, tira pa’lante (google it).
