Yea Blackhawk, I almost totally agree. But you lost me at losing. At the point the first arrow is shot the bow is a winner. So, Bow of the Month is about selecting the best winner, not separating winners from losers. So. your bows (and mine) aren't losing, just somebody else's is being selected. I look at it this way. Having a forum to display our work is a privelege, being selected bow of the month is an honor.
Most of us are parents. Remember the first time your child came home with a ribbon from some event. "Look at this Dad, I got 3rd place!" At that point, getting the ribbon was the exciting thing. Position meant nothing. It continues as they grow older and we teach them that doing their best is what's required in life, not being the best. Only a minuscule number of people are the best. The rest of use do our best and that is being the best for us. That's where we need to get to here. There are craftsmen on this forum that are the best. We get to learn from them, and collectively we get better. Unlike many places in life, the best in the world here are willing to share their skill.
And, lest you think I have this mastered, I had to smile when Pappy's beautiful snaky bow came in the same month as the best bow I've ever made. We do pour our soul into our bows, but only one can be bow of the month. And, I almost always agree with the group voting, even when my bow is in there, and this month was no exception.
George