I was putting my file of letters and cards I have received over the years away...yes, the same one that Chelsees letter came from and I came across another letter...this one from Kendra. It reminded me so much of my "get in the game" analogy that I thought it was worth sharing. It is a mothers day letter. I am not sure the year but it would have been within the last 3-4 years. Here is a bit of the letter and the quote:...a part of the letter from Kendra.
"Motherhood, and yours in particular, is no better described than this quote below. Your unflinching devotion to my siblings and me is the silent example of "the [woman] who is actually in the arena."
From a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in Paris...
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done 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 and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself (herself) in a worthy cause, who at best knows 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 know neither victory nor defeat."
Now, my children have all heard this analogy and are perhaps weary of hearing it again. But to those who may come across this entry I think it is a great comparison to life and I love it's clarity. I must first give Pam Stenzel the credit for the thought. She is a speaker that travels all around the world talking to youth about the dangers of sex before marriage and the physical and spiritual damage it can cause. She has several videos. The analogy comes from one of them. In any sporting event there are two major types of people. There is the "team" and there are the "spectators." The team is made up of coaches and players, they are the ones playing the game. The spectators are the ones watching, though they are full of opinions on how to play the game, their only real investment is possibly a t-shirt and a ticket. The ones playing the game have several advantages over the spectator.
- They made the cut. They made it on the team, victory all by itself.
- They spend countless hours getting and staying in shape. They lift weights, run, practice and eat with winning the "game" as their motivation.
- They study the game, understand the rules and memorize the plays.
- They work as a team. They think as a team. They play as a team.
- They get access to the playing field, with the exception of the occasional marching band or cheerleader, it is theirs, and theirs alone. Spectators trying to storm the field are usually met with resistance.
- Most importantly..."to the victor goes the crown". Every victory goes to the players on the field and to them alone. Sometimes there will be losses, but at least they were in the game!
To those that scream from the sidelines about the coaching and the playing...I ask them one simple question..."How's the view from the cheap seats?"
I think of "Hollywood" protesting the marriage amendment...most of whom are not married themselves. I think of those who stand in judgement of different faiths, condemning the commitment and sacrifice and yet making none themselves. I recently heard a story of a man so upset about the location of the voting poll (not enough parking spaces) that he didn't vote! His chance to "be in the game" and he passed on it.
When I hear someone singing in church and find the quality is lacking...I remind myself..."at least they are in the game." There is no better example of someone being the in the game then my husband. He has no limits as to how hard he will work or what sacrifices he is willing to make. There is no spectator in him. Though sometimes he feels like he is losing, at least he is "daring greatly and shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat." I love him for so many reasons. He is my best friend but even more than that, I respect him. He has always "manned up" and that takes a lot of courage. Happy Fathers Day Bob! To my son and sons-in-laws...I wish you a wonderful day. Your efforts to preside, provide, and protect do not go unnoticed. I am grateful everyday for your courage and devotion to God and to my daughters and of course daughter-in-law!
I cannot figure out how to paste a youtube video. You can find it on the church's website: www.lds.org. It is entitled "Let Us Be Men" by Todd Christiansen. It is worth seeing. You can also find it on youtube.
Love Forever...
No comments:
Post a Comment