When You Feel "Winless"

After my dad heard that Jacob was defeated in both of his wrestling matches at the state, he sent a personal message in the mail to him. Yesterday Jacob read the "Knight's Notes" which included this insightful quote.
"To the man in the Arena"
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 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 and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best knows 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 know neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt


I especially love the phrase"the triumph of high achievement." Only a select few earn the title of 'undefeated' or #1, but the real reward of personally excelling in academics, sports, in music, or any other endeavor is the satisfaction of knowing that you gave it your all, you pushed yourself to conquer hard things and improved yourself.  Comparison can be the thief of joy unless we can shift our perspective to see the triumph of achievement amidst our defeats.
I'm grateful for a dad who takes time to teach my children from afar some of the same life lessons he instilled in me as he posted and shared inspiring thoughts throughout our home when I was a child.