The Critic in the Stands.

"The critics voice is so powerful because it resonates with the voices of our deepest fears, those voices speaking from inside of us, telling us that we are not good enough. The critics confirm our repressed and terrified suspicions that we don't measure up, that we are unsafe and unlovable.
The voice of the critic can be like a hot dagger that reaches the heart quickly and surely.
But the critic's voice is untrustworthy."
- Michael Gungor

"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, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 
- Theodore Roosevelt


I know you came to watch the show.
You hoped for a glimpse at my shortcomings, to slip in a jeering smile saturated in contempt.
How very kind.

We looked out of the arena, into the stands where you sat back, arm around another waiting for it to start, and we just shook our heads. Out of disbelief... astonished humor, even?

Did you get what you wanted? Do you feel justified yet?

I looked into the faces of those who've joined my arena. Who have stood by my side, watched me stumble, seen the blood but picked me back up anyway...
and I genuinely hope that when you are in the arena there are as many people willing to climb in with you as I undeservingly have. 
We all need them.