Dare Greatly

  

 I was hesitant about posting today, I had a family member that passed away suddenly this week but the words that I wanted to share will apply to what I am feeling.

I was watching Super Soul Sunday and Oprah's interview with Brene Brown struck me. I wanted to did (#nerd) take notes because I felt that the content was so inspiring. It was about making ourselves vulnerable and choosing to Dare Greatly. Brene Brown's book is based on the quote "The Man in the Arena":

 

 "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.....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 

I love this. Sometimes we sit on the sidelines, afraid to get involved, fearing that we may fail. Some may even criticize the people who are actually doing what we can't, won't or don't do. It is better to try and fail miserably than live life on the safe side, always cautious, never taking chances.  

Jacket: Gap

Shirt: Thrifted

Bracelets: Forever 21/InPink

Pants: H&M

Shoes: BCBG

I have a book "Write it Down, Make it Happen" and it tells you to write out your goals, your dreams, even if that little voice in your head says that you can't have it. If money were no object, if age was not a factor, what would you want to to accomplish? Write down those things that you think are impossible. The premise is that once we write things down we work towards the things that we want, sometimes even subconciously.

 

So I choose. To dare greatly. To strive and continue to push forward. In spite of obstacles. Even if I fail.

And I choose to be grateful in the meantime. Gratitude is a choice, we all have that power to be thankful for everything, every life lesson, even if it doesn't work out in our favor. That in itself may be the blessing. We can choose to celebrate what we are blessed with instead of focusing on the things that we don't have.

So what do you choose? Will you dare greatly? Come on, I dare you.

*Dedicated to my Aunt Shirl*