“The Man in the Arena”

We are so thankful for the cheers of our friends and those who dream with us! It is so neat how a few words of encouragement or even a simple  "like" on a photo makes the path easier! 

This week was meant to be a milestone for us. Our intent was to offer several products on our website by Father's Day. It isn't quite happening that way. We are getting closer. This past week we received some of the electrical components for the furnace that I am excited to be working on. Our primary focus for now is still the glass, trying to pull it all together and starting our online store.

We've done several individual pieces of taxidermy art such as wingbone calls and a deer shoulder mount. Our focus is still in the glass as well as sharing the walk as we push towards this goal. We'll also share some of the more important things in life such as getting outside and taking breathers along the way.

As we paddle down the stream  that we feel called too, and find the balance between the reality of work and play, we're sure that we'll encounter those nay-sayers, those set on pulling others down, those who would suggest compromising shortcuts, those  who would rather promote discouragement than offer a refreshing sip of refreshment along the way.

 Over the past years I've often found myself focusing on these voices rather than those of the ones running alongside cheering me on. Several years ago I stumbled across a speech from Teddy Roosevelt that has been an encouragement for me.

Many of you walk a similar walk or at least dream a similar dream to us here at Keen & Bright. The path isn't always easy and straight, and often in the rapids is where we find ourselves most alive.  To you I offer this speech from Teddy Roosevelt.

The Man in the Arena

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strongman stumbles, or where the doer of the 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 their 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-