“I think it is better to risk my life and to be a “has been” than to never have been at all. Even though crippled and busted in half, it has been better to take a chance to win a victory or suffer defeat than to live like others do who will never know a victory or defeat because they have had not the guts to try either.” Evel Knievel
On the family summer vacation, when we RV’ed up the Mississippi River, I discovered the National Motorcycle Museum located in Anamosa, Iowa (right, IOWA–hard to believe, but the owner was on the board of directors when the museum was located in Sturgis, which of course makes a lot more sense).
The place was amazing and as only a basic rider, a beginner, I was entranced by all of the bikes. Not surprisingly, they had a special section of memorabilia for Evel and this quote stood out.
“I think it is better to risk my life and to be a ‘has been’ than to never have been at all. Even though crippled and busted in half, it has been better to take a chance to win a victory or suffer a defeat than to live like others do who will never know a victory or defeat because they have had not the guts to try either.”
I grew up watching Knievel and loved his daring. This quote sounds a lot like the quotes from President Teddy Roosevelt that I love so much. He also believed in boldly going forward.
So, how about it? Are you living boldly? Are you living or only existing? Are you merely eating the soft mush of mediocrity because it’s safe?
Me? Right now in October, I am trying to ride full throttle and reach for victory. What if I bust it and don’t make the jump? Well, at least I had the glory of failing big, going for it.
I hope you do too, whether you need to boldly go for the big sale or just make sure you get that homework completed in order to pass the class.