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Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States in the early 1900's, was a true warrior. He recruited his own U.S. Army regiment, the famous Rough Riders, to fight in the Spanish American War of 1898. During his charge up San Juan Hill during the war, he cried out "I’m going to take that hill! Who’s coming with me?" His credo is an inspiration to Taekwondo students seeking to be the best.

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or now 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 sweat and dust and blood; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in worthy causes; who at the best, knows in the end of 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 know neither victory or defeat.

To be the best requires perseverance. The following quote is attributed to Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States in the 1920s.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; un-rewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

Thoughts on perseverance are also found in a poem found in Chicken Soup For The Kids Soul by Jereme Durkin.

Don’t be a coward, fearful and weak Be the last one to quit, and the first one to speak Don’t hide your face from the light of day Be courageous in life and stay that way No need to run from your trials, troubles, and problems Have confidence in your step as you reflect how to solve them Yet, if you happen to fall, don’t lie there and die Get up without thought, and hold your head up high Be wise, courageous, bold and brave And life will be worth living from your birth to your grave.

While striving to be the best, beware of pride. The following is adapted from Animal Walk, Julia C. White, 1996.

Legend has it that the peacock was born pure white. In the bird kingdom, he felt out-of-place amidst the glorious plumage all around him.

Great Spirit gave the peacock a mission: to travel the earth seeking out evil and negativity and to absorb that contrary energy into his own body so that it would not spread. Peacock was told that he would be rewarded.

So peacock set out upon his mission. As he performed his duties, he began to notice that his feathers began to take on beautiful colors. He spread his tail for a better look and sure enough, he was turning into a magnificent, colorful bird. Delighted, he really went about his work with gusto.

The harder peacock worked, the more beautiful he became. Then one day he looked down at his feet and squawked in horror. He had the ugliest feet in the bird kingdom!

So, when you see the glorious peacock, remember the mission he was given and the work he did to earn those colors. The perfectly formed circles, or "eyes", on each feather are to watch for still more negativity. When you hear that horrific squawk, you will know he just looked down and saw his feet. The feet were Spirit's way of telling peacock not to get prideful and let ego stand in the way of his true work.

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