“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring so greatly that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
If ever there was a recipe for a creative life, it is this: to engage unabashedly with whatever comes your way. The world is full of talkers, naysayers, spectators, critics, crybabies and cynics and relatively short on motivators, those who can galvanize and doers. The difference between the two is found in the level of engagement with your field of responsibility.
Your world, that is, your sphere of influence, should rightly grow as you age. Some people never grow up. They remain as children, lacking sufficient maturity and sensitivity to radiate the unmistakeable quality of character that says “the buck stops here.” The quality of character of which I speak is granted only to those who consistently assume full responsibility for the little things in life, such as tidiness, timeliness, follow-through and creative problem-solving, again, in the little things in preparation for the large.
Take care that you do not go through life cutting corners, inattentive to the small things that matter in your world and sitting on the sidelines wishing you had a different set of circumstances. Instead, embrace it with passion, enthusiasm, devotion, determination and good cheer. Yes, I said it, good cheer.
Have a great day!
Gregory Hake 
So many people stand on the sidelines of their own lives, watching as observers, but unwilling to take a stance for fear of failure, condemnation, of standing out or of success.
I am grateful for those that came before me or are around me who have inspired me to be courageous, give of myself and life life to the fullest. I would consider it the greatest complement to be able to inspire someone else to do the same.
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Inspiration is in the Details…
We Don’t cut corners we Paint them.
Inspirations Paint Company
Tag lines contained within our up and coming website, which should go live very soon!
I greatly appreciate the recognition of the matters which I deal with on a daily basis, ie. Tidiness, Timeliness, Follow-through, and Creative Problem Solving. Any combination of which could stop one dead in their tracks if ignored or worse, feared.
Life hands you nothing you cannot handle creatively, nor does it hand you anything you can’t handle period, it’s all a matter of perspective.
Thanks Gregg
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It is much more important to make sure you are doing the right thing before you try to worry about what other people are doing. A corollary of this rule is that people can usually see if you are all talk and no walk, and are unlikely to make any lasting changes based on that kind advice. I am interested in living a meaningful life. To do that I have to be willing to constantly make real changes, and to keep maturing. If other people see that and are inspired to change, great! Real, lasting change comes from being self motivated, and it has to be a journey. What’s ok for today will be stagnant tomorrow if you decide to rest on your laurels.
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Teddy Roosevelt knew from his own experience that things weren’t always going to be smooth sailing. He knew great personal loss, prolonged ill health and family and peers that were sometimes at cross purposes with him.
He also kept on going, looked within his own resolve and made a huge difference in many people’s lives, in his time and for the future. We have a lot to thank him for.
Appreciation for people who have set the bar high is a start but to live our lives NOT ” sitting on the sidelines wishing you had a different set of circumstances” but moving forward with great passion and good cheer is the point for us right now.
Thanks Gregg perfect start for the day.
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Some people are actually content and comfortable in a world where everything is predictable. I agree with you on the road eventually closing in on itself. At some point in time they may realize what they have sacrificed by sitting on the sidelines of life.
I love a day at work when I have learned something new or learned to do something in a new way.
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Me too!
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The road is easier for those who say “I can’t or I won’t” than for those who say “I can or I’ll try” and accept whatever comes their way in the process.
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In the short term, perhaps, but in my observation there is little comfort or ease in long term coldness and timidity. That road closes in on itself eventually.
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