I’m having a tough time with some things at the moment and, yesterday, failed miserably in dealing with it. I was down on myself and ate until I literally felt greasy and sick. I went to an Indian Bazaar and got a Picnic bar, a package of dry fruit chikki brittle and a package of puri for bhel. And I ate it all. 1530 calories of nutritionally bankrupt food. Today is a new day and I begin again. Because I need a good pep talk today myself, I’m going to share one of the best I’ve ever read:
It is not the critic who counts; nor the one who points out how the strong person stumbled, or where the doer of a deed could have done better.
The credit belongs to the person 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, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually strive to do deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends oneself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.
-Theodore Roosevelt
I’m not sure I’m back to Roughrider status today; but, with conscious effort, I will be soon. I will be strong enough to once again dare mighty things.
The Daily Doty 
Jon Anne – I would like to talk with you as a friend right now and not a business contact. Please refer back to your own post dated September 13, 2013 (just 6 days ago). In that post, you said you felt like the pretty girl in the room. Fact is, others see you as the pretty girl in the room too, just may not have the nerve to say it. But I will! You are a beautiful person, but not just because of your physical transformation (which is noticeable & remarkable), but because of your spirit and strength as well. I do not know what you are having struggles with, but give yourself a break. One event does not undo the work you have put in. You are an inspiration, so don’t be too hard on yourself. Because of getting to know you and your story, you inspired me to start taking better care of myself. To date – 25 pounds lighter and a constant blood pressure lower than I have ever had. I believe in you!
Chris Dozier
Chris, I cannot even tell you how encouraging your words are. I’ve hit some pretty serious potholes that have jarred the old recordings into play mode. It’s one thing for me to tell them they’re wrong. It’s quite another for you to do it. Thank you.