THE CABELA STORY By David Cabela
“What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
MARK 8:36
Dreams inspire success.
Some aspire for financial freedom. Others, spiritual enlightenment or family prosperity. We all see success from within the framework of our personal lives. But without goals, without dreams, we have little to strive for.
Dick and Mary Cabela exemplified the possibilities of what can happen when you blend a little bit of ambition with a ton of hard work, faith, and freedom. They would’ve argued luck played a part, but lottery winners don’t spend decades of toil, heartbreak, and determination molding companies that employ thousands and fuel the dreams of countless more.
By any standard, Dick and Mary were successful. They built a world-renown outdoor outfitting business from scratch. They raised nine children. They nurtured a lasting marriage based on a solid foundation of faith and love. They hunted and fished all over the globe, pursuing a passion for the outdoors which permeated throughout every facet of their lives. Then, inspired by that passion, they founded the Cabela Family Foundation to help ensure those wild places endure for generations to come.
The Cabela’s story is about hard work, dedication, humility, trust, and vision. It is about pursuing dreams and believing in the possibilities that lie beyond tomorrow. It is about an idea originating from a kitchen table and growing into the World’s Foremost Outfitter. It is a story epitomizing the unique American experience. Where else, but in the land that has strived to define itself by freedom could a success like Dick and Mary Cabela’s be attainable?
But this is more than an American success story. Their story can help us to understand how to live our dreams and keep our souls. It is not about glory or accolades or recognition or winning. It is about a struggle. It is about men and women who knew who they were and chose to embrace it. Who tried to choose the difficult path, the right path, because that gave them true satisfaction.
Legends are not born—they are formed through the vision beyond the sweat and blood of men and women who believe anything is possible.
In the coming months, we will attempt to paint a picture of how the Cabela Family Foundation came to be, through short stories exploring who Dick and Mary Cabela were and how different events and the choices they made helped steer who they would become. Maybe as we explore their story, it will inspire us to live our own lives the best of our ability. Their story will not have all the answers. In fact, it may not have any of them. Our individual lives mean we will have individual choices and unique paths. But by studying the paths of those who went before us, we may be able to learn something about becoming better versions of ourselves.
Stay tuned...