Here is a great quote that one of the members at The Grapplers Guide posted in response to the post about taking risks.  I think it’s a great quote so I figured I’d share it here:

“It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows 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 nor defeat.”

~Theodore Roosevelt

I came across this piece about “risks” and it is something that I really enjoyed and I agree with 100%. In life you have to take some risks. If you don’t how will you ever know if you could have ever done all of the things you ever wanted or lived a life that made you truly happy.

Without risk there is only regret and with regret there is only sorrow.

No one ever succeeds without failure. Chances are if you never took actual risks and you never failed then you never really tried. Without trying you’ll always wonder.

The goal is to not have any “what if’s”, it’s to do and know regardless of the outcome.

Here is the selection that I came across:

RISK
Author unknown

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to others is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life is to do nothing.

The perso n who risks nothing,
does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.

Chain ed by their attitudes, they are a slave,
they forfeited their freedom.

Only the perso n who risks can be free

Well it’s been over a year now since The Grapplers Guide has been launched and I have to say that I’m very happy with the results.  The site has turned into a great learning resource for all of the members and on top of that The Grapplers Guide has attracted some great individuals.  Everyone is respectful, willing to help each other, and eager to learn.

Also right now we have a running count of over 50 Brazilian Jiu Jitus black belt members!!  All in all, it’s really a great place to visit on the net.

Name: Jason Scully
Born: August 4th 1980
State: New Jersey

Occupations

• Designer/Owner of www.GrapplersGuide.com
• Owner of the Grapplers Guide Academy - www.CentralJerseyBJJ.com
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Submission Wrestling Coach
• Web Designer
• Graphic Designer

Owner of The Grapplers Guide which is dedicated 100% to the improvement of an individuals grappling performance.  Visit www.GrapplersGuide.com for more information.

Jason has written articles that have been featured on:

Grapple Arts - www.GrappleArts.com
Lock Flow - www.LockFlow.com
MMA.tv - www.MixedMartialArts.com

Jason has placed in major grappling competitions such as Grapplers Quest, North American Grappling Association (NAGA), and US Grappling in both the advanced and expert divisions. In June of 2008 he placed 3rd at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Championships in San Diego, CA.

He is currently pursuing a degree in Physical Education at Kean University.