Activate Futures

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚 - 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫.

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲.

'It is not the critic who counts; not the person who points out how the strong woman stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends time on a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if she fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat'

Theodore Roosevelt

The quote shown above is an excerpt from "The man in the arena", a world-famous speech by American President Theodore Roosevelt from 1909. It's about our societal responsibilities which still rings true today.

I first read it in Brene Brown's 'Rising Strong' where she discusses the quote in context of being fearless even when we feel exposed.

To me, this speech is not just about being courageous in times of adversity. It's not even about winning or losing.

It's a metaphor for life.

It's a psychological state of mind.

It's about showing up for your own fight and rising strong after every win - and after every defeat.

We can be so focussed on outcomes, that we forget that the process is where we do the most growing.

Being in a struggle doesn't always welcome spectators, not even supporting ones. And those aside, there will be those watching us from the sidelines wanting to derail us, trying to dim our light.

During tough times, the concept of the arena reminds me to get back in there to continue to rise to the challenge.

To dare. To be courageous. And most importantly, to shine without apology.

Most are afraid to have their adversity witnessed. Stepping into the arena is an acceptance of the fact that there are always going to be people in our lives spectating and judging us when we have dirt on our hands and blood on our faces. But when you're in a fight, you have to keep going. It doesn't matter what the outcome is. It's about not giving up.

The arena has taught me that I can always rely on myself.

When I work in environments that lack faith, I invite the team to come into the arena with me. It will be chaotic, messy, and hard, but together we will triumph.

And now I'm inviting you to join me in the arena, to show up and fight for yourself.

~ Charisse Monero, Founder Activate Futures