CURRENT THINKING
Fred Smith is one of my mentors, model and hero. He was known as a man of wisdom and principle-centered thinking. His career spanned 65 years of executive positions in the corporate world, and he served on boards for business, Christian organizations and government task forces. (You can find his biograph at www.BreakfastWithFred.com ) His lifetime friends included evangelist Billy Graham, and he was known as a mentor and friend to such men as Zig Ziglar and Ken Blanchard.
His influence through speaking, mentoring, writing, and consulting impacted men and women worldwide. As an inaugural contributor to Leadership Journal, he mentored a generation of pastors and ministry leaders — and continues to do so through his archived writings.
His books continue to direct leadership thinking. John Maxwell considers "Learning to Lead" one of the finest books on the subject. His fourth book, "Breakfast with Fred" was released on September 4, 2007.
In his late 80s he continued mentoring through www.breakfastwithfred.com, reaching an international audience.
The recipient of hundreds of achievement awards and honors, he was recognized for his contributions to business and ministry. In 2007, Christianity Today, International, established the Fred Smith Leadership Award, given to an individual who exemplifies the combination of business acumen and active Christian faith.
He and Mary Alice were married for 67 years before her death in 2004. They were the parents of three adult children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. At the age of 92, Fred passed away on August 17, 2007.
Fred Smith, Sr. was known as a man of great integrity, strength, insight, and thought. His daughter updates his website as a legacy for leaders who follow behind, wanting to be men and women of wisdom. She sends out a weekly email with Fred's writings and wisdom that I consider one of my favorite readings each week.
I share with you TODAY'S COLUMN...
When life has thrown you a curve and you want to pull the covers over your head, do you go into a manic “futuristic” exercise. Do the prospects of tomorrow hold much more appeal than the painful realities of today?
One of the most interesting little books I repeatedly review is A Way of Life by Dr. William Osler. He admonishes us to live in “day-tight compartments.” This tiny volume is a talk delivered to students at Yale. He addressed them as “fellow students” to emphasize the life-long search for knowledge. He told them, “When I was attending the Montreal General Hospital, much worried about the future, partly about the final examination, partly as to what I should do afterwards, I picked up a volume of Carlyle and saw ‘Our business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.’ It was the starting point of a habit that has enabled me to utilize to the full the simple talent entrusted to me.” Osler showed me that today is my only day.
Staying in the present isn’t easy. Clearly, it seems better suited to some personalities and temperaments than others. But, as we face difficulties, it becomes a necessary discipline to develop. We laugh with our children and grandchildren about eating an elephant one bite at a time. Overcoming and persevering are no less than dining on pachyderms. I have never actually done that, but in my day as a chicken eating contest winner, I got the hang of hanging on.
The Bible backs up the idea of day-tight living. We are told to pray for our daily bread; the workers were hired to go into the vineyards for the day; and we are told “don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow; God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
I am reminded of the pastoral painting of peasants planting in the field. Underneath are the Latin words for act and hope. We are to do our work today, not being anxious for tomorrow. Keep in mind, their act of sowing was done in the hope of reaping. My friends in sales tell me calls they make today create business in four months. They act and hope. General Robert E. Lee wrote to his son, Custis, “Fix your mind upon what is before you. Live in the world you inhabit. Look upon things as they are. Take them as you find them.”
So today, think about how well do i stay in the current? What is the balance between current thinking and future planning? Who needs my encouragement to live in day-tight compartments? Remember: "Today is my only day!"
Phil. 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
