Stepping Into the Arena: The Courage to Show Up
There’s a quote that has echoed through my mind so many times on this journey of growth, healing, and intentional living:
"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 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 up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for 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 he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
— Theodore Roosevelt
I first heard this passage years ago, but it wasn’t until I came across Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability that it truly sank in. She takes Roosevelt’s words and brings them into the heart of what it means to live a brave, wholehearted life. She reminds us that vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s courage. It’s choosing to show up and be seen, even when there are no guarantees.
The Critics Don’t Count
For a long time, I let fear of judgment keep me on the sidelines. Whether it was fear of failure, fear of what people might think, or fear of simply not being “good enough,” I played it safe. But here’s the truth: the critics will always be there. There will always be voices—external and internal—whispering doubts, telling us we’re not doing it right or that we should just stay small.
But as Roosevelt reminds us, they don’t count. The only voices that truly matter are those of the people in the arena with us—the ones who are also showing up, doing the work, and living with heart.
Daring to Be Seen
Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability and authenticity changed the way I saw courage. I used to think courage was about being fearless, but now I know it’s about stepping forward despite fear. It’s about being willing to be seen in our imperfect, messy, human selves.
For me, stepping into the arena has looked like:
• Choosing presence over perfection as a mother
• Sharing my thoughts and experiences, even when they feel raw and unpolished
• Pursuing goals that stretch me, even when I doubt myself (hello, half-marathon training!)
• Allowing myself to grieve, to feel, and to love fully, without holding back
It hasn’t been easy. Vulnerability never is. But it is worth it.
Living With Heart
I don’t want to sit in the stands of my own life, watching from a safe distance. I want to be in it—face in the dust, heart on my sleeve, daring greatly. I want to love deeply, create bravely, and keep moving forward even when I stumble.
If you’ve been holding back—afraid to take the leap, afraid to be seen—this is your reminder that the arena is where life happens. It’s where courage is built, where connection is forged, and where we discover what we’re truly capable of.
So here’s to showing up. Here’s to living with heart. Here’s to stepping into the arena, again and again.
love,
mk