A significant component of success is derived from the atmosphere we’re in. An atmosphere is the pervading tone or mood of a place, situation, or work of art. Another definition is an envelope of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet. For almost a century, our culture has been fascinated by space and what lies beyond our atmosphere. We shoot rockets and spacecraft into orbit to explore what’s in the deep dark space. Beyond Earth is a harsh and unpredictable environment, but we crave it.
Much like Mother Earth, each of us has a personal atmosphere. A protective shield envelops us. We have intrinsic self-defense mechanisms. One of those is fear. In many cases, fear is a result of embarrassment. On the other side of fear is space. Dark matter of unexplored glory.
Embrace the embarrassment! For many of us, this is a grueling achievement. It is an unthinkable task. Embarrassment is known as a social phobia, which can be extremely debilitating. It is the fear of being watched or humiliated in front of others. 25.3% of Americans report that they fear public speaking. We fear that others will drop the gavel and place a life-altering judgment on us.
Theodore Roosevelt pegged it correctly on April 23, 1910, in what became known as the “The Man in the Arena” speech. He fully understood the dismantling ability of those who placed judgment and criticized those who lived and took a risk.
Roosevelt said, “The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer.” He went on to say, “A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticize work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life’s realities—all these are marks, not … of superiority but of weakness.”
This was before he drops a bomb of inspiration and clarity.
“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.”
Step into the arena! Do not fear the critic who hasn’t battled and put in the time. They are the scarred soul who sits in their high tower and attempts to exploit and harness those around them. Walk through the crowd with your shoulders back and find your place in the front. Carry yourself with pride and integrity and be a doer.
Prepare yourself for takeoff. Think of it as Apollo You.
10..9..8..7..6..
Let the anticipation build, and the eyes gather while they watch you turn on your switches. Create interest by leading by example and doing your tasks with relentless effort. Ignite your passion rocket and let it rumble on the launch pad. Tell great stories of direction and vision. Turn up the throttle, pull the belts tight, and lower your visor.
3..2..1..
Blast off into uncharted personal space. Push past the protective atmosphere and propel yourself into the unexplored realms of life.
References:
Teddy Roosevelt
http://mentalfloss.com/article/63389/roosevelts-man-arena
The American Psychiatric Associate reports that social phobias often develop during puberty and potentially will last long into adulthood.
Progressive Paladin | PeacefulPaladin. https://peacefulpaladin.com/progressive-paladin/
EPISODE 14 Ted Roosevelt (Part 2): The Strenuous Life …. http://historyonfirepodcast.com/episodes/2016/11/29/episode-14-ted-roosevelt-part-2-the-strenuous-life
Gardner, Susan. “Editor’s Corner.” Municipal World, vol. 125, no. 10, Municipal World Inc., Oct. 2015, p. 3.
