First up is our 26th President of the United States, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 - January 6, 1919). He was known for many inspirational speeches and quotes, but only one of those quotes deeply resonated with our persona to follow.
“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; 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 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
Robert Craig Knievel, better known as the daredevil Evel Knievel (October 17, 1938 – November 30, 2007), paraphrased Teddy's original quote when talking about his own ambitions. He also acknowledged Teddy as the source of his quote, which is admirable in a world filled with plagiarism and people who try to take credit for something they did not create. Evel Knievel used the words to solidify his own personal convictions, inspire his fans (and future daredevils) and to quiet the critics who questioned his crazy death-defying stunts.
"It is better to take a chance in life to win a victory or suffer defeat even though scarred by failure ... than to live in the shadow of life as some do never knowing a victory or defeat because they have not the guts to try either!"
Evel Knievel
They both grew up with adversity in life but obviously needed a determined and inspired spirit to achieve their great accomplishments. Who are you inspired by? What gives you inspiration to tackle problems that may have high risk of failure?
Do you strive to inspire others from your own accomplishments and the failures received along the way to get there? Or are you a naysayer...one who questions others for what they try to do..and never attempt a significant or seemingly unobtainable achievement that may result in glorious victory or bitter defeat?