taking a punch

“So you’re taking a few blows.  That’s the price for being in the arena and not on the sidelines.” - Steven Pressfield (The War of Art)

When you attempt something great, it’s not likely to become great on the first try.

It’s not likely to happen the second time either.

It may not even happen time after time after time.

It won’t be easy.  You’ll want to give up.  You’ll get knocked down.  You’ll want to surrender.  

You’ll get hurt and want to call a timeout.  

All the while, not knowing if you actually will achieve the victory you’ve set out for.

And yet, if you stay the course, regardless of the outcome, you’ll be exactly where you want to be. In the arena.