I recently read a quote from Theodore Roosevelt.  It was reprinted in a current issue of Time magazine (12/16/2016).  However, that reference was used in a political slant.  In this blog I focus on health issues whether that be the physical, spiritual or mental realm.  However, the quote seems appropriate to the subject of health for obvious reasons.

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the does of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by duct and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes up short again and again…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 often we are challenged to take the easy road, especially when it comes to our health.  If we are tired, we say “Oh, I’ll just stay in bed today and sleep awhile longer.”  When we feel that urge to have something sweet in our diet we search for not just one scoop of ice cream but two scoops – especially if it has nuts and chocolate on top.  When it is raining outside it’s a great excuse to not go for our “daily” walk – just stay inside and do some simple stretching.  We all know the bag of potato chips in the kitchen cabinet that has a “homing device” built into it so it can call out our name when we are bored.  It says: “Please come over here and try to each just one…” ha, ha…

In the focus of Mr. Roosevelt, it is definitely worth it to: fight-the-fight and stay-the-course when making decisions about our health.  If a person makes a decision, just ONCE, to have good health and that person REALLY dedicates themselves to the decision, then all the little issues that are presented each day will be easy and clear.  Therefore, you will get up instead of sleeping late; you will take that daily walk; you will eat only one scoop of ice cream; you will take the “homing device” out of the potato chips.

Be your own critic and as Teddy Roosevelt says: “at least fail while daring greatly.”