Weekly Thought – August 12, 2014

Fred once read that root canals without anesthetic were a form of WWII torture.  When his dentist told him one was in his future, he decided to see if he could have endured the pain.  SO, he did it without anesthetic!  He made it, giving the dentist one of those “let me tell you about my crazy patient” stories.  Fred recalled the experience, telling others it only took his nervous system six months to recover.

Plan for Pain

Bob Richards, former Olympic gold medalist, and I lectured together.  I listened in as he interviewed other Olympians.  “What do you do when you hurt?”  Each one of them had a specific routine for the painful times.  I was curious and asked him later, “Why did you ask that?”  Quickly, he replied, “No one wins the gold without hurting.”  They expected it and planned for it.  It was part of the perseverance plan on the road to the victory stand.

Marathoners anticipate “hitting the wall.”  A business associate began running 26+ mile races in his 50th year.  His first one was at White Rock Lake in Dallas.  The runners call it “Running the Rock,” and know exactly where they will experience the great depletion of mental and physical energy.  As he ran it year after year, he knew the mile marker and trained to break through it.

Our daughter, Brenda, entertained her young grandson, Andrew at a play area.  She watched him try over and over to climb atop the tree-like molded plastic form.  He slipped, fell, bruised his knees, but kept going after it.  She decided he had tried enough, and suggested they play somewhere else.  He looked her square in the eye as he hung a few feet from the top.  “Gram, do you know what a champion is?  Until I get to the top I won’t be a champion.”  He knew the pain of perseverance and the cost of championship.

My friend Robert Schuller often said on national TV, “no pain, no gain.”  That’s true, but without genuine perseverance there can be pain with no gain.  I am interested in your gain, and I want you to plan for pain as you develop.     (more…)

Weekly Thought – July 29, 2014

Fred’s gift of discernment enabled him to understand people.  When analyzing situations, he said he “looked for the ego.”  In writing on perseverance he identified an unhealthy ego and boredom as two enemies of endurance.  He considered boredom unimaginable to the fertile mind.

In September, we will begin a year long Centennial Celebration culminating in a 100th birthday event in 2015, recognizing Fred’s anniversary.  During the year we will focus on highlights of his life.  Please share your “how Fred stretched me” thoughts with us.

Enemies of the Good

Where are we deriving our ego satisfaction?  Where are we deriving our ego satisfaction?  Do we seek gratification from others or practice dedication to the betterment of others?

It is key to understand ego is intrinsic to our human nature.  We do not strive to empty ourselves, but we seek to have the proper perspective which leads to a healthy ego.   Difficult times can war against us, leaving us wounded.  Loss often detaches us from our healthy ego and makes us feel rootless.  The challenge is to find a healthy alternative.

In tough times, we quickly identify our ego centers.  Our child is involved in illegal activities, our spouse is jailed for fraudulent business practices, we lose our prestigious job and social standing, or a friend betrays us… we quickly must find the foundation of our true identity.     (more…)

Weekly Thought – May 20, 2014

Fred regarded himself as “delightfully dependent,” in his bed-bound years “I wish I could take a walk” were words spoken without bitterness. He always said, “If you can do something about it, you have a problem. If you can’t, it is a face of life.” His immobility was just that – a fact of life. But he persevered.

The Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute is initiating a research project in conjunction with a Southern California group, studying millennials. Research shows that generation connects with those who are 70+. We will begin studying what they want from the connections, best communications systems, and conversational methods.

Pressing On

We live in troubled times. Trouble takes us back to the basics and opens our minds. Perseverance is one life’s fundamentals.
The composer/musician Rod McKuen wrote: “Talent is never enough in any field. It must be coupled with perseverance and recognition.” Effort varies more than talent. Those who lose their tenacity generally lose their position in life.

The great merchant, J.C .Penney believed,” Self-denial is the basic requirement for accomplishment in any field of endeavor. Success comes only to those who will follow the hard road, rather than the paths of ease and pleasure. The road to success is open to those who persevere.

As a boy, Isadore of Seville struggled with his lessons. Doing badly in school, he ran away. He sat down to rest beside a little spring that trickled over a rock. He noticed the great erosion caused by the small droplets of water. Right there, he decided to resume his studies, knowing even his small drops of water could wear away the big rock of education. He became one of the finest scholars of his day. His biographer said, “Those drops of water gave to Spain one of her greatest historians.” Job 14:19 reinforces this principle: “The water wears away the stone.”   (more…)

Weekly Thought – May 13, 2014

Fred demonstrated a deep reverence for God. His upbringing in the home of a Southern Baptist preacher gave him a Scriptural foundation which was enhanced by his personal relationship through Jesus. He and Mary Alice instilled great respect for the things of God into their three children.

May is the month of graduation. It is a time to pray for the students, faculty, and staff members of our colleges. We especially remember those who have hosted a Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute event: Houston Baptist University, Dallas Baptist University, Lindsey Wilson College, Alice Lloyd College, Emmaus Bible College, LeTourneau University, Asbury University, East Texas Baptist University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Taylor University. May these graduates take the power of God throughout the world changing lives and workplaces.

Reverence

I was once known as the man who did “crooked thinking on the straight and narrow.” I guess I did “out of the box thinking” before that concept was even created. In this light, I want to offer a verse which seems strange as a basis for reverence: “How can you say you love God you haven’t seen if you don’t love your brother you have seen?”

Here’s the Smith take on this verse. How can you revere the Creator if you don’t revere His creation? I hear speakers pontificate about reverence for the God then turn around and totally disrespect those He created.

One night I was visiting with Norman Cousins. He told me about a visit to Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Lamberene. As they walked up the hill to his modest house, a hen and her little chicks walked in front of them. Dr. Schweitzer took off his hat, bowed, and said, “Congratulations, my dear, I didn’t know it would be so soon.” His reverence for God’s creatures is great cause for admiration. (more…)

Weekly Thought – February 25, 2014

Fred enjoyed laughter as “life lubricant.”  As he aged, he believed humor was one of the key elements of aging well.  And part of the freedom of laughter is the ability to let go of slights given by others. 

Praying with us as we go forward with the work of Fred Smith, Sr. encourages and strengthens us. Thank you.

Enmity Toward Us

While we can avoid enmity toward others, we cannot control others’ enmity toward us. When we find we have an enemy, we can take a healthy review.

There are several reasons others dislike us. Here are a few:

1) Our involvement in a cause.  Cliff Barrows of the Billy Graham team once told me that they are well received, but there is always the offense of the Cross.  In war times we see lines drawn creating political enemies.  The poignant book, All Quiet on the Western Front showed the pathos of war.

2) Being different from others.  Some people just don’t like anything “foreign.”  We had a home in another state for years.  There was a clear feeling we were “flat landers” and not truly accepted.  I asked a local how long we would have to be there before we were accepted as one of them.  “Oh, about 50 years, I’d say.”

3) Our self-centeredness. We are selfish by nature.  The paradox of Christianity is that we are to be servants of all.  We are to use our time and talents not just for ourselves, but for others to the glory of God.      (more…)

Weekly Thought – February 18, 2014

Fred spent little time holding on to grudges.  He understood the proper role of those who are enemies and the power of “staying in the state of forgiveness.”  At age five, Fred lost the use of his right hand.  Through childhood he was limited in his physical activities and was exposed to taunting.  He chose to view his disability as a “fact of life, not a problem” because “a fact of life is something you cannot change; a problem is something you can solve.” 

Planning is underway for two Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institutes: Palm Beach Atlantic University in February and Taylor University in April.  Please join with us in prayer.

Bearing An Enemy’s Burden

The acid of enmity is a heavy burden.  Being commanded to “bear one another’s burdens,” we bear an enemy’s burden of hatred toward us as one way of helping them with their burden…for certainly hatred is a burden.

When I am with a man who dislikes me, I can forget his hatred of me as soon as I leave – but he has to carry it with him always.  As I pray for him to have a lighter burden, I pray to have a lighter enemy.

Most of us would like to be more objective in our evaluation of people.  We respect those who can truly and sanely differentiate between the strength and weaknesses of others.  Nowhere are we tested more in this than in objectively evaluating our enemies.

I remember wartime posters which depicted the political enemy as a demented animal, leering out at us who were clearly God’s chosen people.  We forget that the posters in their countries see us in the same evil way.      (more…)

Weekly Thought – February 4, 2014

Fred was a pragmatist and a realist. He never allowed himself to discount the value of a difficulty. His famous “Never lose the good of a bad situation” emphasizes his analytical nature. Nothing was wasted. When most chose to wall off the influence of enemies, Fred studied their impact…to the good.

The final preparations for the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute events at Palm Beach Atlantic University are moving at top speed. Please check out www.bwfli.com to get a taste of PBA. Continue praying for team members Al Angell, John Begley, Hartzel Black, Ron Cunningham, Krish Dhanam, Marianne Dodge, Jim Hailey, Garry Kinder,Tanya Magnus, Mark Modesti, Jack Murphy, Joe Petersen, JJ Prendamano, Cliff and Marie Shiepe, Keith and Carolyn Stonehocker, Kat Van Dusen, Pat Walters, Dan Williams, and Brenda A. Smith.

The Blessing of Enemies

It is difficult to say, “Thank you for enemies,” but if we are thankful in everything, then we must. There is value in opposition. There is nothing that makes us take stock or do self-evaluation than the awareness someone thoroughly dislikes us. Knowing someone believes the world would be better off without us challenges our faith and our character.

Our command to love our enemies is uncommon. The historian Michael N. Hart says that Christianity enjoys one of its finest distinctives in loving our enemies. In most world religions, revenge is not just supported, but commanded.     (more…)

Weekly Thought – January 14, 2014

Fred took seriously his responsibilities to his friends and peers.  He refused to slide when it came to making a contribution to a group.  He believed our gifts were given to be helpful – and to be developed.

Part of Fred’s uniqueness was his ability to distill information into pithy, punchy “one-liners.”  We now call them Fred Saids.  On the breakfastwithfred.com website over 300 are archived.  If you are a twitter fan, would you join our volunteer team of tweeters by choosing your favorites and sharing them with your followers?  Thanks so much.

Owing Our Peers

I have a responsibility to my peers – to be an individualist.

Oftentimes when I am on college campuses, I ask how many consider themselves non-conformists.  Typically, 75 to 95% raise their hands. Laughter usually breaks out.  Very few admit to being a conformist because it is socially acceptable to think “outside the box.”  When people uphold their right “to be me,” it has a connotation of revolutionary, but   conformist.

Actually, the conformist and non-conformist have the same personality type for they are both outer directed.  They both work to discern where the “in” line is — one to stand within and the other to stand without.  I once knew a young executive woman who told me she loved boundaries.  This surprised me for her personality didn’t reflect compliance.  Then she explained, “Boundaries show me where the outside is.”  She and her more rule-oriented associates are actually closer than either would admit.      (more…)

Weekly Thought – January 7, 2014

Fred enjoyed studying social patterns; He also enjoyed swimming against the stream. In his later years comfort won out over style. He attended breakfasts at the Dallas Country Club attired in his plaid flannel pajamas. He focused on what he had to offer, not on winning “best dressed awards.” Fred separated himself from image, function, and status.

Thank you to all who continue to support our efforts. The distribution list for the Weekly Thought grows. Would you recommend our wisdom and leadership email to friends this week? Help us expand the reach.

Pressured by Peers

Peers come in groups. Seldom are they developed individually. We move into neighborhoods, join a Sunday School class, associate with a business group, or join a social network…all come with a collection of peers. And each establishes its own set of values and mores.

We like to think of peer pressure as something applicable to only teens, but we never move totally away from it. Here are a few examples:

1) We change the way we handle being “in” and being “out,” but the definitions still exist. Political organizations punish those who oppose them when they are in power. Social groups create membership parameters based on who belongs.

2) Clothes are a measure of peer acceptance. My family believes I missed this social gene. While on vacation in Colorado at a restaurant we regularly frequented, the friendly waitress greeted me with, “Well, Mr. Smith, I see you dressed yourself today!” Too often we are constrained to dress like our peers.    (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 17, 2013

Fred thought in categories. His gift of clear thinking was aided by his mental filing system. Long before computers, he had his own storage and retrieval process. He created major categories (philosophy, psychology, theology, for example) and when he read, or conversed, he mentally filed the information into one of his categories. When he needed to retrieve, he accessed the proper file. Many of Fred’s mentorees modeled this system.

One of Fred’s favorite quotes was, “Gratitude is the emotion with the longest shelf life.” We, at BWF, want you to know how truly grateful we are for you. The Weekly Thoughts give us an opportunity to share Fred’s words, and his heart. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement.

Models for Living

While our heroes teach us to be, our models help us to do. Models teach us to achieve the best use of our talents; models teach us how to link our passions to our activity.

Early on, I developed this purpose statement: “I have been given a talent; therefore, I am responsible for using it for the common good of my society and for the glory of God.” One of my first challenges was to determine my dominant talent.

Our philosophy of function is critical for a productive life. My personal belief is that service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy. And, the better the space, the higher the rent. We should never complain about the service expected of us. The Scripture reminds us, “To whom much has been given, much is required.” No one inherits rent-free life space.

Poachers on life’s territory eventually are dispossessed and exposed as frauds. We often hear, “There is no free lunch.” I firmly believe there is no free space. If you aren’t paying the rent, someone else is. It is our moral obligation to contribute.       (more…)