Hear, Hear Walter D. Wintle!
I woke up early this morning, rested and energized, knowing that the Australian Open women’s semifinals were being televised. Madison Keys rallied from a set down to score a stunning upset over Iga Swiatek in a thrilling tiebreaker. A great display of power, agility, strategy, and tenacity, and I guess doubt and disappointment. I love watching the major tennis matches, with 2 world class athletes putting it all on the line, in front of a cheering and judging crowd. As Wide World of Sports would say, “The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat! The words of Theodore Roosevelt “Man in the Arena” comes to mind:
“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.”
This weekend, I am going downhill skiing for the first time in decades, and my first in my 60s and with a bum eye – I am looking forward to skiing again with my kids and the next generation, grandkids. I’m looking forward to the traditions – peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on squashed white bread, Pringles, Lil’ Debbie Swiss Rolls, oranges, and hot chocolate in styrofoam cups. The delight in taking off snow boots after a day on the hill; however, I’ll admit – I have doubts and concerns. Will my legs hold out, will my eyes provide enough depth of vision. In the spirit of “I am A, not longer I was A”, I will boldly go into the “Arena”, buoyed by the words of Walter D. Wintle (bolding is mine).
Thinking by Walter D. Wintle
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost;
For out in this world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can!