"...It is not the critic who counts..."

This week, I am sharing a musical version of the Man in the Arena from Citizenship in a Republic, a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 and with original music written and performed by Deidre Corson.

Reflection questions:

• Imagine with the ending of your current campaign will look like. What joy will you feel?

• How can you encourage the donors and volunteers who are with you in the arena that the horizon of joy is coming?

Reflection on the quote:

This evening, I have the joy of celebrating the grand opening of a music school. The Executive Director of this music school had reached out to me for a one-time coaching call during a challenging season of the capital campaign. A few months later, after I released a podcast with this quote, this Executive Director sent me a musical version of the Man in the Arena.

In the middle of any challenging campaign, it can seem like the sweat, blood, and failures are unending. Like this Executive Director who continued to be in the arena, fund development is making effort after effort without knowing how each effort will turn out. Yet, by pressing to the end, there is a celebration when we have invited donors and volunteers into the arena to strive with us valiantly and to dare greatly.
The Man in the Arena has entered the public domain.

Musical version was written with original music and performed by Deidre Corson and used by permission.

What do you think? Send me a text.

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Music credit: Woeisuhmebop