Criticism and Courage

From Theodore Roosevelt’s speech “Citizenship in a Republic.” and taken from “Daring Greatly,” by Brene Brown: “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.…”
I have recently been reading Browns book, “Daring Greatly,” and find it as profound and enlightening as I did, “The Gifts of Imperfection.” I find the first part of this quote about the critic to be something I have experienced and witnessed far too often in my life, and unfortunately I feel of late has been exponentially exaggerated during the recent political season. As a Mental Health Therapist I have both witnessed and experienced first hand a sadness, disappointment, frustration, and exasperation with all involved in the political events. In my observation we thirst for hope, we crave meaning, and we are in desperation for positive evolution toward a higher individual and collective self. I see in the depths of eyes of those I meet while the words go unspoken this desire.
I often think of Gene Roddenberry and the various Star Trek series. I ponder on the inclusion and problem solving and evolution of species toward cooperative and inclusive experiences. Often his theme appears lost on us who love the conflict exemplified by battles in space and on other worlds between alien species. All the while the human condition and it’s positive evolution is juxtaposed against this conflict. So many things from science fiction have come true in 2016. I can talk to my computer and it not only responds it also types my words as I say them. I hope for Gene Roddenberry’s ideas to come true, that we can evolve toward self actualization and Roosevelt’s theme magnified in Brown’s book, “Daring Greatly” come to fruition and we can cooperate and support instead of destroy. Construction is often much more difficult, destruction often so easy. I encourage you to check out Brown’s new book, or any of hers as the themes are healing.