I purchased a new violin in May (from Fiddlershop, by the way) that I named Theo.  At the time I acquired Theo, I was reading some of the writings of Theodore Roosevelt.  I think most people know about his “Charge at San Juan Hill”, but he also was a very prolific writer, including 40 books, thousands of articles, letters, and speeches.

In addition to his San Juan Hill escapade, Roosevelt is known to many for a quote from his speech delivered in Sorbonne, France 23 Apr, 1910 entitled “Citizenship In A Republic” referred to as the “Man in the Arena”

I think this is well known because of the universality of it.  Who among us has not been challenged? We all have.   And how we face our challenges shapes us.  When I first took up the violin, I had just retired from the military, was going through a divorce & was recovering from two back surgeries.  All challenges. 

I see my violin learning journey as a challenge, for sure.  I’ve told people that my first couple of years were the most difficult; that there were many times I wanted to take my violin and throw it out the window.  I’ve said that keeping with it has taught me both patience and humility. But through its challenges, it has also brought me the reward of accomplishment. When I first started, I did not have a name for my old violin.  But now, about 8 years later, I have a name for my new one. 

I guess my point is that I would encourage any of you, who have embarked on this violin (or viola, cello) learning journey, to “dare greatly” so that you know the satisfaction of achievement.