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, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
A dad can lose friends. He can be misunderstood by his own family. He can carry the weight of criticism and still sleep just fine at night.
Why?
Because his mission isn’t to be liked by the crowd. His mission is to be respected, trusted, and loved by the most important audience in his life.
His children.
One day, those kids will look back and realize why Dad said ‘no’ when everyone else said ‘yes.’ Why he stood his ground when it would’ve been easier to bend. Why he took the long road, even when the short one looked tempting.
A father success isn’t measured by applause.
It’s measured by who his children become.
By how much they seek his company when they no longer need him.
And by the grandchildren who carry his legacy forward.
Even the way your actions made another feel is only a reflection of themselves.
Did I hurt you with my words? Or do you have wounds that I touched by what I've said?
I must live my truth and you must live yours and not allow ourselves to poison each other's worlds.
Any opinions others have about you are a reflection of the belief systems they've set up in their own world, not the reality of yours.
Its why you should never take anything personal. That goes for both compliments and offenses.
The world will withhold validation from you until you give it to yourself.
Its backwards.
Most people think "once im successful I'll be confident"
But in reality confidence is what pulls success into your life.
Your self-worth is what teaches people how to treat you.