“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” –Teddy Roosevelt

I have dared mighty things. Sometimes I have soared with the eagles and sometimes I’ve crashed back to earth in a messy painful heap. But I can’t help myself. It would be far more painful for me not to dare the next mighty thing than to risk pain, disappointment, and heartache by attempting great things.

If you feel that you are crippled by fear, hang in there. I believe that sooner or later you are very likely to be so tired of being stuck on the ground that you will take a leap and perhaps you too will soar. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend that you read the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. And if you’ve already read it, I recommend reading it again. I discovered the book as a relatively young man and have read it multiple times over the years. It is a short story and quick and easy to read.

Whether you soar or crash you’ll know that you dared, and that is a mighty fine thing to know about yourself.

And other great spirits will applaud your attempt. Some may even support or help guide you the next time you dare to do mighty things. Go for it!