Weekly Thought – November 4, 2014

Fred graduated from Hume-Fogg (often referred to as Human Frog) High School in Nashville, TN. College was not an option for he was already working to supplement family income. So, later in life when he frequently lectured in colleges and universities, it was a testimony to his life-long learner habits. Guilford College in Greensboro, NC was one of his favorite venues. This week’s message is taken from notes he prepared for a talk.

If you are helped by these weekly wisdom emails, would you help us by sharing them with others? We would like to expand our reach in this year building up to Fred’s 100th birthday anniversary. Thank you.

Knowing and Growing

Will and Ariel Durant, the historians, claim “Education is the transmission of civilization.” H.G. Wells said, “Civilization is a race between education and catastrophe.” I am convinced this comment shows the trend of man. If he were basically good, why would there be this race?

Through formal education each generation can build on the knowledge of the prior generations. I believe this is only true if we accept the principles produced by the knowledge. If we deny the principles, then we continually reinvent the wheel.

Thomas Huxley said, “Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.” This is tying discipline to knowledge. This understanding that immediate gratification is not always right and immediate pleasure is not the answer. Deferring gratification and pleasure are critical to achieving our long range goals. (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 31, 2013

Fred spent every January 1st in the office reviewing and assessing the past year and setting goals for the next.  Even though his nature was strongly creative, he enjoyed a bold analytical capability.  This combination allowed him to approach any topic subjectively and objectively.

As 2014 begins, we thank you.  The Apostle Paul constantly gave thanks to those who formed his community.  May 2014 bring wisdom, enthusiasm, and awareness.

Counsel to Mentorees

Having been mentored for years and now serving as mentor, here are some observations I hope are helpful.

1. Have your mentor to help you learn to ask the right questions, search in the right places, and stay interested in the right answers.  “Ask a question the other person wants to answer” is my response to all those who probe this area.  There is an art and science of questioning.
2. Decide what degree of excellence you want to attain.  The object of mentoring isn’t perfection, but progress.  Only a few can be truly excellent, but all can be better…begin with better.
3. Assume a subordinate learning position.  Few people can be humble enough to accept concentrated mentoring.  They let their ego get in the way and begin competing to impress the mentor.
4. Respect the mentor, don’t idolize.  The relationship is created to enable growth, not to establish hero worship.  When a mentor is placed on a pedestal it is often for the mentoree to claim affiliation.     (more…)

Weekly Thought – December 24, 2013

Fred’s family had a tradition of buying presents and decorating a tree on Christmas Eve.  It was years before the family knew their Dad started the “tradition” because trees went on sale that afternoon, as did gifts. He and Mary Alice made it special and festive.

The year is coming to an end.  Has 2013 flown by for you?  It is fun to look back and see all BWF (and BWFLI) has accomplished.  Without your help, it would be impossible to continue this work.  You are a gift to us.  Thank you so much. And please know we will be praying for you to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with joy and contentment.

Growing Others

We need instructors as well as mentors.  With an instructor we share an interest in the same subject and can communicate easily around that particular material.  Instruction is what Plato referred to as “transferring information from one mind to another.”  Instruction includes showing how to use the data transfer to maximize gifts and talents for usefulness.  Instruction is helpful for the learning of techniques.

Mentoring is different.  Our best mentors are those with whom we share a common philosophy of life, knowing that what we do is an expression of our mindset.  Personally, I have found that I can best be a mentor to those whom I respect most.  That respect creates an atmosphere in which the mentee can learn the arts of development since we are talking about more than technique.  Mentoring is the process of developing unique qualities in the art of learning.  For example, such things as thinking, feeling, and dedication to excellence cannot be given by instruction – they can only be coached.

Mentoring involves the heart as well as the head.

The requirements of a good mentor are: 1) share a comparable philosophy; 2) sincerely believes in the mentee’s potential; 3) both understand where he/she wants to go; 4) able to make assessments and be willing to offer alternative directions; 5) recognizes when the “season” is over; 6) attached to mentee through accomplishment; 7) being mentored themselves; 8) willing to be committed, serious, and available.     (more…)