Are You Daring Greatly?

I wanted to end off this year with a profound message of inspiration. The year has been so challenging for so many of us. War in Ukraine, earthquake in Indonesia, continued climate change, famine in East Africa, drought and conflict in Sudan, never-ending crisis in Syria, Somalia humanitarian crisis and children suffering, same in DRC, conflict in Nigeria, violence in Yemen displacing people, Afghanistan continued crisis and humanitarian challenges. The list goes on and on. And what stands out for me is how the innocent suffer as a result of those in power and the greedy personal agendas they have.

What also stands out for me is how many people are stepping forward offering what they can, albeit something small to try to make the world a better place – those who are brave enough to step up and hold those who mess up, accountable for their actions – those who are stepping into the arena and getting their hands dirty! And so this quote – which always brings tears to my eyes just by the way – by Theodore Roosevelt, came to mind. This is my profound message of inspiration, not written by me, but that’s okay.

“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 actuallyin 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 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 knew neither victory nor defeat.”

And so my friends, I dearly hope that you are daring greatly in everything that you do. Because it really is not the critic who counts. What others think of you is their business. And it’s okay to try something and it doesn’t work out. What’s not okay is to want to try something but you don’t and then you have lots to say about others who are. I really do hope that you’re prepared to take the learnings of this year, and draw on that amazing deep inner strength that we all have, and just dare to try – not only making the effort, but making it with absolute conviction and trust in yourself that you can do it. Make the effort without seeking recognition from anyone else but yourself. Continue to strive valiantly no matter what errors you make along the way, not matter how many times you come up short. Persistence and believing in yourself will get you to the other side – to that place where you can look back on a life well-lived. On a life that you are proud of and a legacy that you can leave for those who come after you – a legacy of courage, strength and determination as well as a legacy of deep compassion and unconditional love for others – one of a life lived in service to yourself and to everyone else who chose to share this earthly existence with you.

In case you aren’t around for any more articles this year – you may one of the lucky ones already on holiday – may I take this opportunity to thank you all for your constant love and support. I am truly not able to do what I do without you.

Go well dear friends, until we meet again.

I remain as always

In love and light

Yours in service

Glynis