nell'Arena

Nell’arena is Italian for “in the arena”

“In the Arena” is in reference to a Theodore Roosevelt quote that I read in (my favorite book of 2013) Dr. Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly - so named after the same quote. 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, 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 errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…”

In October, I was offered the opportunity to take an ex-pat assignment in our European offices which is located in Comerio, Italy.   And while most sane people would jump at the opportunity to move to Italy – I foolishly said no at first.  I liked my current job, I am good at my current job and I wanted to stay in my current job.   I said no at first because I was safe in my current job.   Luckily for me, my leadership was reluctant to accept no as an answer and I soon agreed to go.

Looking back, it is amazing how one can see all of the pieces coming together and know they are on the right path.  For me, I had two clear signs.    

First, my husband sold his business in July and by October was just starting to think about the next opportunity (which turns out to be a stay at home dad living in Italy!).  We would have never been able to make this move if we still owned the businesses or if he had another opportunity in the works.      

Secondly, in October I was in the car with two of my sisters (headed to visit the third) and we discussed the Roosevelt quote as my sister had recently heard Brene Brown reference it.   We all agreed that we wanted to live our lives in the arena.   It was also this very same car ride where I first mentioned the possibility of moving to Italy.

As time as passed and the “opportunity” became concrete with announcements, dates and specific plans,  I've come to realize that I am standing in the arena.   I am both excited and scared (shitless) - and I know this is where I am meant to be.