"Mucho mejor es atreverse a hacer grandes cosas, ganar triunfos gloriosos, incluso aunque estén marcados por el fracaso... que figurar entre esos espíritus pobres que ni disfrutan ni sufren mucho, porque viven en un crepúsculo gris que no conoce ni la victo"

Life is so much richer when you take risks and go after big dreams, even if you stumble along the way. Who wants to end up looking back and realizing they've only ever played it safe? That's the essence of Theodore Roosevelt's words. He’s saying it’s far more rewarding to strive for mighty achievements, experiencing the highs and lows, than it is to live a safe, unchallenged life. Think about it. Striving for greatness, even when it means facing failures, fills your days with passionate efforts and lessons learned.

When Roosevelt made this statement, it was during a period when he was emphasizing the importance of bold action and courage. He was a man known for his adventurous spirit—someone who lived vigorously, whether it was in the political arena, in his personal endeavors, or even in his hobbies like hunting and exploring. The context of his life and presidency was all about pushing boundaries and encouraging others to do the same.

Picture an entrepreneur, someone like Elon Musk. Here’s a guy who didn’t just stick to one venture. He dared to dream big with SpaceX, Tesla, and even the Boring Company. Imagine if he had played it safe after his initial success with PayPal. Instead, he decided to risk failure because the potential rewards were so much greater. He's faced numerous setbacks—rockets exploding, cars not selling—but those failures are just stepping stones to his triumphs. And those triumphs are world-changing.

So how do we apply this wisdom? Start by daring to step out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s asking for that promotion, starting your own business, or even taking up a challenging hobby, the key is to embrace the possibility of failure. It’s about setting high goals and not being paralyzed by the fear of not achieving them. You’ll find that the journey itself is incredibly enriching, teaching you resilience and adaptability.

Let’s get a little personal here. Imagine you're someone who’s always wanted to write a novel. You’ve got this incredible story in your head, but the idea of actually writing it—and maybe even facing rejection from publishers—scares you. But then, think about the exhilaration of seeing your story come to life, of holding that finished book in your hands. Even if it doesn’t become a bestseller, you've created something that didn’t exist before. You’ve dared, and in daring, you’ve already won.

Living in that "gray twilight," as Roosevelt puts it, where you don’t try because you’re afraid of failure, robs you of the fullness of life. It’s like eating plain oatmeal every day because you’re scared you might not like other flavors. Sure, you won’t get disappointed, but you’ll never discover the joy of chocolate chip pancakes either.

In short, it’s about putting yourself out there. Take that leap, even if you might fall. Better to have a life marked by daring attempts and colorful experiences than one smoothed out by an overabundance of caution. So, what’s that one mighty thing you’ve been dreaming of? Go ahead—dare to do it.