There’s a powerful line from Theodore Roosevelt that speaks directly to the heart of courage and personal growth. In his essay “Manhood,” he reminds us that strength is not found in perfection, image, or external achievement — but in the willingness to try, to step into the arena, and to show up despite fear.

His message can be summarized simply:
"You cannot call yourself a failure if you have never tried. The real failure is in refusing to step forward."

This truth is something I am learning to live, breathe, and embody.

⚔️ The Flood of “What Ifs”

I have so many ideas, so many visions, so many things I want to create, build, offer, and share. But sometimes, I become flooded with the what if’s, the maybe’s, and the I can’t. Sometimes I get tangled in the fear of failure, or caught up in the thoughts and judgments of others. And believe me when I say — perfectionism is a real thing. It can be paralyzing and it whispers, “Wait until it’s perfect.”, it whispers, “Don’t mess up.” and it whispers, “Not yet, not you.”. But here’s the truth Roosevelt pushes us to see: Courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s the willingness to move anyway.

🔥 Courage is a Choice

There is a moment we all reach — a crossroads — where we must choose between staying comfortable or stepping toward what we love. When I’m standing at that crossroads, unsure of which way to go, I ask myself three grounding questions:

1. What excites me about this?

• I let myself feel the spark — the vision, the possibility, the joy that wants to unfold.

2. Who will benefit from what I’m trying to create?

• My gifts are not just for me.

• My courage has a ripple effect.

• When I show up, others rise too.

3. Have I even tried yet?

• I must at least attempt it before I give up.

• I cannot count myself out before I’ve given myself a chance.

These questions pull me out of fear and return me to purpose. They remind me that courage does not require perfection — only effort.

🌿 Rewriting the Inner Dialogue

The way I speak to myself matters.
Using “I” statements and positive affirmations has become essential in shifting my mindset.

When doubt creeps in, I respond with:

• I am capable.

• I am learning.

• I am willing to try.

• I am worthy of my goals.

• I am guided and supported.

• I am stronger than my fear.

Affirmations help me replace limiting thoughts with empowering ones.
They help me step into the arena — the place Roosevelt reminds us is sacred — where people are not judged by how perfect they are, but by their willingness to show up.

✨ Where Yoga and Roosevelt Meet

Roosevelt challenges us to enter the arena. Yoga teaches us how to step into it with clarity, calmness, and courage. Roosevelt speaks to bravery in action. Yoga speaks to bravery in awareness.

Together, they remind me that:

• I do not need to be perfect.

• I do not need to know the entire path.

• I only need to try.

• I only need to take the next step with presence and intention.

And that is enough!

One of the niyamas, tapas, is the inner fire — the determination and willingness to move toward what matters even when it’s uncomfortable. Tapas is the energy that says:

• Try.

• Show up.

• Take one small step.

Courage is tapas in action.
Every time I push past fear or perfectionism, I am practicing tapas — I am strengthening my inner resilience and igniting my own transformation.

✨ Closing Reflection

Theodore Roosevelt reminds us that "Manhood" — or more universally, human courage — is found not in perfection, but in participation.
It is found in stepping forward even when the voice of fear tells us to shrink. So I choose courage, I choose effort, I choose to show up, I choose to try. And each time I try, I move closer to the life I envision — a life rooted in purpose, passion, and the courage to be fully myself.

OM Shanti,
Rahnee "Hanuman" Haskins