The first time I saw this, it blew me away and I cried withpride for this father. It is hard enoughto raise a normal son but Dick Hoyt is an inspiration to Dads everywhere andearns a 5 Star Legacy Dad Rating.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D52rJd9GX10&w=425&h=350]
-Esse Quam Videri-
Context
I am going to start from the beginning and cover all thebasics but no matter what your level of knowledge in finance, I will add littlenuggets of wisdom for all.
Context is defined as this:
The contextof an event,word, paradigm,changeor other realityincludes the circumstances and conditionswhich surroundit.
When it comes tofinances, everyone has their own context drawn from experience and their own personalup bringing. Why is this so important inraising children? Finance is not taughtin school. Finance and money are learnedin the home from parents. More on thislater.
“Forthe love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money,have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.” 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)
What is the bible sayinghere? That making money your love, thatputting money before God is a sin. True. I believe it is also sayingthat chasing money can lead you to wonder from your faith and the things thatare important in life.
Loving money and Mastering moneyare two different concepts. Loving moneyis what this verse is referring to; Mastering money is understanding and notletting money become a problem in your life or the life of your children.
Money doesn’t buy happiness and itwon’t make you a better person, but neither does poverty, debt or ignorance ofmoney. Finances are one of the leadingcauses of divorce in the US. Money is needed for food, housing, clothes,education and expenses.
So let me ask this question, ifyou had a choice between your children struggling financial or understanding moneywhich would you choose? Now don’t get mewrong, I‘m not talking about spoiling ourchildren or giving children a silver spoon. I am talking about giving your children the knowledge of understandinghow to live below their means, save and invest, control debt, make smartpurchases and how to create an honest income for themselves and eventually theirfamilies.
If your children our under age 10,I will teach you how to make them millionaires by the time they reach their30’s, they will also learn charity, but more importantly they will learn how touse the money for good causes and ultimately God’s design for their lives.
I think every parent wants thisfor their children but the problem is how to do it? There are many options available, how dowe know which one is right?
Finances are very complex and younever know if someone is trying to sell you something or is giving you pooradvice. As a former Financial Plannerand currently an active investor, I have seen all kinds of advice andinvestors. So for the sake of simplicity,I am going to lay out all my knowledge in a series of posts and let you takeaway what is unique for your situation. I’veread over 50 books on personal finance and investing and I still haven’t foundthe definitive authority on the subject. So the best way I have found is to get a wide variety of advice frommany sources and take away what works for your personal situation.
Think of these posts as a buffetline, take what you like or what looks good and leave that which doesn’t soundlike your area.
I will cover the following areas:
Living Below Your Means
Debt and Credit
Paper Investing: Stocks, Bonds,Mutual Funds and Derivatives
Real Estate Investing
Estate Planning and Wills
Business and Marketing
Tax Planning and Tax Savings
Techniques I Learned From MyWealthy Clients
How to Retire Younger Without TheAdded Risk
What Investments to Buy and When
And of course how we teach this toour kids and why, has such a dramatically positive effect on them.
Back to context, how you speak andrefer to money shapes your children’s view of it. How many of us have heard phrases like “Moneywon’t buy you happiness” Money doesn’t grow on trees?” and my favorite “Moneyis not important!”
For the final comment, I alwaysask people “If money is not important, why do you spend years away from yourfamily, working at a job for money?”
The truth is that money is importantbut it is certainly not the most important thing. A majority of people I have met grew up withnegative experiences of money. They haveideas like money is in short demand; you have to work hard for money, etc.
However, there are also people whobelieve that money is easy to make and control, money is a tool to fund worthycauses and controlling money will allow you to spend more time on things thatreally matter like your family, charity or your true passion in life.
Take a few moments and imaginethat money is not a factor in your life. You do not have a job, each month you receive $10,000 into your checkingaccount. How would you live your life? What charities and causes would yousupport? How would you spend yourtime? Would you volunteer more at yourchurch? Volunteer to be a missionary? Write a book of your life story? Start a new business? Follow a long time dream that you have longforgotten about? Spend each day withyour children and grandchildren?
If you humor me for awhile andlisten to what I have to say, I will show you how you can make this dream areality for your children and possibly for yourself as well. The reason I starting learning about moneywas because I never wanted money to stand in the way of me providing for myfamily. I never wanted money to be afactor in decisions for my children. Iwanted money for my children to be able to participate in activities andexperiences that make them a better person and Christian. I wanted my children to see the value ofcharity and giving. And if someday mychildren were given an opportunity to attend an Ivy League college, I neverwanted my lack of understanding and preparedness to stand in their way.
This process will not only prepareyour children, but it will also prepare you and help you in your currentfinancial situation. So if you areinterested in Mastering Money, teaching your kids to Master Money, learning thefinance techniques of Wall Street and wealthy people and creating a financiallegacy for your children along the way, strap in a hang on.
Next is "LBYM"
-Esse Quam Videri-
Who is a Legacy Dad?
Take a moment and think about your own father or if you didnot have a father, someone who was like a father to you…
What do you remember most?
What type of man was he?
Do you remember any special times together?
Are there any times you wish you could forget?
Would you consider this man a mentor or someone to look upto?
Now ask yourself…
What will my children remember me for?
Legacy Dad is a roadmap for building these memories for yourchildren and guiding your children towards becoming spiritual champions. It gives you specific tools that can helpshape a legacy that you will pass on to your children, one in which they will havetruly wonderful memories. They will remember you as their mentor and LegacyDad.
Where we are?
Every man starts this process from a different point, somemay be further and some may not yet be to the point of fully committing to thistype of plan but the great thing about Legacy Dad is it is made to be a tailoredplan. You can use certain areas only oruse the whole program. The mostimportant step is to customize this plan to your parenting style, your beliefsand your children. This truly creates aunique experience.
I was at a point in my life where I was spiritually filled,my marriage was better than average, I was progressing well in my career and Iwanted to really influence and guide my children. As you look through the Legacy Dad Principlesyou may find an area you personally need to work on first before applying otherprinciples, don’t worry this is perfectly okay and trying to take shortcuts andskipping a step will not bring about the same results.
In short, Legacy Dad is for a special breed of man, the man who is ready to take the next stepand move towards finding Self Actualization. I caution you that this is not easy and most men never make it to thispoint in their lives, they die wishing they would have gone down thisroad. This will not be a lot of touchy,feely good suggestions but actual “get out in the real world” and “show your truecolors” hard work.
A Legacy Dad must be a wise man, a worldly man. He must have knowledge in a variety of areasthat normal men do not. He must masterfour critical areas in life and take the reigns as the spiritual leader in hisfamily.
A Legacy Dad is:
A man who is bold but humble
A man who honors his wife and treats her as his united partnerand confidant
A man who is not afraid to speak about his beliefs andvalues
A man who has or is ready to become the spiritual leader ofhis family
A man who sets the example for others to follow
A man who friends and colleagues look up to and ask adviceof
A man who is willing to lay it all on the line to protecthis family
But most importantly Legacy Dad is
A man who realizes that his children are God’s greatest giftto him and his legacy will not be his job, will not be his money, and will notbe his personal accomplishments; but it will be the teachings, guidance, andvalues that he passes on to his children. His children will take these principles on to their children and theirchildren’s children thus creating a family Legacy.
Maybe no man in your family tree has ever taken this step?Maybe you can be the first?
Most men will never walk this path. Are you up to the Legacy challenge?
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the oneless traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
-Esse Quam Videri-
Ask a group of men when they knew they were really men and you will get varied responses. When they turned 18, 21. When they graduated High School, College. The first time they had sex, when the left for basic training, and a number of other responses.We have a crisis of children growing up in the church and then leaving the church when they grow older. We have children who have identity crises because they were not guided and initiated by their parents. (Updated Study, Barna Study) Our children need parents who will not cocoon them or over-shelter them from the world, but teach them to be the light that shines in the world.
Children need spiritual initiation and right of passage; they need true life skills and tests of judgment. They need to know that they are ready for the world and we as parents need to know that we have equipped our children for the world. We need to know that we left no stone unturned and did everything we could to prepare are children to be strong, confident Christians. Then we need to let God take them the rest of the way.
School, Friends, TV, Video Games and the Internet will not teach your children life skills, morals and values. The Church will only teach some areas and will not take your children all the way. It is our responsibility as parents to ensure our children receive the training, guidance and wisdom that will truly matter in their lives.
Society easily bates children and parents alike to pursue The Success Illusion. To spend our lives chasing Money, Beauty, Power and Fame. Aiming our children at true greatness rather than societies version of success gives them so much more and the funny part is the elusive success that so many chase often comes for free as a result of True Greatness.
Are you willing to be their leader and role model?
Are you willing to succeed where many parents fail?
The Legacy Dad Process is a road map to implement into your parenting style; it is a series of biblical lessons and principles at specific times and ages of your children’s lives to help instill and pass on your personal legacy to them. It focuses on creating a plan for each child that is tailored to their age and gender and incorporates your personal values and beliefs into the process to ensure your Legacy is passed on to them.
The Legacy Dad Process includes:
1. Core Pillars for aiming our children at True Greatness.
2. An intriguing way to get your children to want to take this journey
3. Specific books and lessons for your children to read and report on that helps instill the principles
4. A journal that your children will record their progress and in the future reflect back on
5. Specific tests that each child will do on their own but with your help and guidance to instill the principles, give them life experience, and build a family bond.
6. Special ceremonies that shows your child that they have passed the test and are ready for the net step.
7. Specific adventures that you will take together to create family memories and instill the Legacy process.
8. A financial legacy that your child will inherit in the future worth hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as the knowledge of what to do with it.
9. A Legacy book that will be presented at the end of the process for your child to see their life history and comments from you and other family members along the way.
Finally, it will give your children the confidence and knowledge to face anything that life throws their way and it will give you as parents the satisfaction of knowing you did all you could to equip them for life.
I will explain in detail this whole process and how to implement it into your family.
Not only will this greatly help your children but it will also help you and your wife. If you personally do not possess the knowledge of these principles, you will also learn it first to pass it on and this will greatly help and increase your own personal life as well. Learning together with your children will also create a stronger bond and solidify the process.
If the idea of a happy, loving marriage; equipping your children for True Greatness; financial security and abundance; and being respected for your character and leadership sounds appealing than Legacy Dad is for you.
Please Note: This is not my plan but God's plan, packaged in an easy to understand way, for use in many areas of your life.
For a more detailed look at the process see Legacy Dad Life Map
-Esse Quam Videri-
The Picture of a Legacy
When I mention the word legacy, what comes to mind? Rockefeller, Carnegie, Ford. or biblical leaders like Jonathan Edwards and Billy Graham. Do you think of those old movies where some old man has left a fortune to his great grand son in his Will but first the grandson must pass a test to receive the fortune?
For a moment, let your mind leave reality…
You see a 23 year old young man sitting in the back of a limousine, he is dressed in a black tuxedo and an overcoat, the boy has just graduated college. The limousine winds up a mountain road and comes to a large iron gate at the top, the gates open and the limousine drives through a golf course, it pulls up to a country club resort on the top of the mountain, the sun is setting in the background and the sky looks like a burst of orange, blue and white colors. 
The door to the limousine opens and two older gentlemen dressed in black tuxedos are waiting for the young man, they are two friends of the boy’s father and strong Christians, they lead him into the country club. They go through a series of rooms and stop outside 2 large dark mahogany doors. The young man knocks on the doors three times, a voice from behind the door says “Enter” The two gentlemen open both doors and the young man enters the room.
The room is a large study with dark wooden bookshelves filled with many old looking books. A large fireplace has a fire crackling on one side of the room. There are many old pictures of distinguished gentlemen on the wall; the small coffee tables are filled with crystal and marble pieces. There are many large leather chairs and 2 leather sofas in the room.
The room is filled with 10 men all dressed in black tuxedos, 12 men in all plus the young man. The men are uncles, coaches, family friends, his Boy Scout leader, other men who have influenced the young man and the boy’s pastor. 
At the head of the room, the young man’s father and grand-father are standing behind a large hand carved desk, on the desk is an old dust covered trunk.
Over the past few years, the young man has had many tests and adventures: a mission trip in South America, climbing Flatirons in Colorado, hunting a grizzly in Northern Canada, teaching at a summer youth camp, raising money for the homeless and committing his life to Christ.
The young man walks up to the desk, the grand-father takes a key on a chain from around his neck and opens the trunk. Inside, the father and grand father take out some of the unique contents. First, is an old sword and sheath, it is adorned with crosses and other Christian symbols. The father tells the young man to kneel. The father takes the sword and places it on the young mans shoulder in knighting fashion. The father recites an oath as the young man repeats the words. His father then presents the sword to his son “Take this in recognition of the morals, values and courage you have learned, let it be symbol of your warrior spirit and to remember to protect your family when needed.”
The grand-father pulls an old frayed and worn bible from the chest. He opens it and it bears the names of his father, grandfather, great grand father and many uncles. The grand-father explains that this bible was his great, great grandfathers and has been passed to the men in the family for the past 150 years. In this bible are notes and passages underlined by all the prominent men in the family. The grand father hands the bible to the young man and says “Take this and continue your spiritual quest, you have proven yourself as a worthy Christian man."
Next the father pulls an old leather book from the trunk, it is hand carved on the cover and looks like an old oak tree, and the young man has seen this book many times in his life. Each time he sat with his father and learned specific lessons about spirituality, finances, morals, and leadership his dad would read from this book. The father opens the book to a page filled with many signatures and dates from the last 100 years. 
The boy is handed a fountain pen and told to inscribe his signature and the date. His father says “You are now entered into the book of leaders, of real men. You have passed numerous tests and proved that you are a capable and fair leader.”
The grand-father now pulls a small black velvet box from the trunk, he hands it to the young man. The young man opens the box to see a set of keys and a piece of paper bearing a bank address with an account number and signature card. The grand-father proclaims “This is an investment account in your name, it was opened when you were 5 years old and contributed to your entire life, it now holds investments worth over $460,000 in it. You have passed many financial tests and have proven that you are worthy of using this money for you and your future family.”
Next the boy’s pastor comes forward and asks all to bow their heads in prayer. The pastor prays for the boy and thanks God for all that he has accomplished, he prays to continue to guide this young man during the next phase of his life. When the pastor is finished another man hands the boy a fine cigar and 15 year old glass of cognac in a crystal class. Everyman in the room now holds a cigar and glass of cognac; they toast the young man and clap in applause for him.
Each man lines up and in turn comes forward and congratulates him, they all offer him a small gift to remember the occasion. A compass with his initials engraved, a plaque bearing his family name and crest. After all have congratulated the young man the gentlemen walk through a side door in the study, the young man is the last to walk through the door and immediately he hears a loud roar of applause and yelling. He is now in a large banquet room and all his friends and family are present standing around large tables decorated like a wedding reception.
All the gentlemen are seated at a long table in which the young man takes his seat in the center. Once again they toast the young man and then sit down to a hand catered meal. During the meal, each gentleman stands up and says a few words and shares a story about the young man and his voyage to true greatness. After the meal, the boy’s father and mother take him back into the study. His mother pulls one last item from the trunk, a very large leather book; the size of a photo album, the boy looks through the pages and sees pictures of very memorable moments in his life from the time he was born. Sports events, awards he won, fishing trips, family vacations, and his Christian youth group. Beside each photo is a small narrative written by his parents and other family members and friends, they each share their memories of the young man at his event and how proud they are of him.
The boy hugs his parents and tears fill his eyes, he is so grateful for all they have done. His mother shows him the last 20 pages or so of the photo book, they are blank. “These are for you to fill with your next journey, your marriage, your future family, it is for you to continue and pass on your Legacy to future generations.” 
The boy is filled with confidence and is ready to take on the world.
The parents are proud and happy in knowing that their son is now ready for any trial that life has in store for him and with God's help and the knowledge he has gained, his life will be destined for true greatness.
How would you feel if someone would have done this for you?
How would you feel after 10 years of mentorship and you finally made it to this night?
What kind of confidence would this instill in you knowing that these men and family members believe you are ready for this type of responsibility?
I would feel like a strong and confident man, capable of taking on whatever the world decided to throw my way.
Okay, how do you get to here from wherever you are now?
That is what Legacy Dad is all about. It is about the core principles to pass on, the training involved, the tests he takes, the memories and adventures, and how to put it all together into an easy road map that you can tailor and follow.
It is about taking your children through a process and finally culminating at this unique crossing over ceremony, not because of their age, but because they have proven themselves capable. It is at this point that you will realize that you did all you could, you left no stone unturned and you molded your child into a strong, healthy Christian adult. It is also at this point that your child will never forget this day and all you have done and sacrificed for them, they will forever feel a closeness to you unlike any ever found.
Welcome to Legacy Dad
-Esse Quam Videri-
Perhaps you feel stuck in your job, are considering a job change, orwant to start you own business, but just can’t seem to do anythingabout it. Or maybe you’ve already started a new job or business, buthave found the obstacles along the way seemingly insurmountable.
No matter what’s stopping you from moving forward, Bruce Wilkinson’s new book could change your life.
Wilkinson has been stirring the Christian community ever since his Prayer of Jabez hit the shelves. But if Jabez encourages you to enlarge your horizon to do great things for God, The Dream Giver(Multnomah Publishers, 2003) deals with the thoughts and otherobstacles that keep you from attaining those great things. Wilkinsoneven says in his introduction, “Every Dreamer soon learns that the roadto the future you really want is clogged with Dream-threateningobstacles.”
As you begin to read The Dream Giver, you’ll quickly find yourself thinking of a Christian Version of "The Secret." In. The Dream Giver,the hero is someone named Ordinary, who, as the name suggests, is an average man orwoman of the Christian faith, living in the land of Familiar or Comfortable. This, ofcourse, represents the comfort zone that most of us build aroundourselves. Familiar is populated by Nobodies, people who don’t“generally expect the unexpected” and don't want to rock the boat or stray far from the norm.
Now Ordinary has a conversation with the Dream Giver, which sends himon a journey – to follow his dream, his true passion in life. Yes, says the Dream Giver, believethat the Dream is from Me, and follow it where it takes you. Ordinarylikes the idea that instead of being a Nobody, he can become aSomebody. But there are hurdles to cross.
The very first hurdle is to actually believe that the DreamGiver gives the innermost desires. Did Ordinary really have a Big Dreamfrom the Dream Giver? Or was it too much Merlot last night? Interestingly, itwas his father who gave Ordinary that little impetus to follow hisDream.
If getting courage to follow a Dream is not hard enough toovercome, then our own comfort zone can be the next hurdle toaccomplishing our Dream. Many people suffer from the RTC factor – resistant to change.We love to think we welcome change, but try to move us too far awayfrom that which we’ve become accustomed to and you’ll see how muchchange you enjoy.
The Journey Begins
The author’s parable takes Ordinary from the Comfort Zone ofFamiliar to the unknown territory of Borderland. Slowly, Ordinaryovercomes the fear of the unknown and steps forward. And, surprisinglyto him, the unknown is not as bad as it was imagined.
Before he finally leaves the Comfort Zone, however, Ordinarymust deal with the hurdle of family and friends. These people ought tobe his closest allies, but instead they become a big obstacle in ajourney that will continue the rest of his life. First, his motherchallenges his Big Dream. This is a familiar pattern for many, sincemany mothers and wives with their “nesting” qualities don’t alwaysappreciate the steps (they call them “risks”) to achieving a Big Dream.Then there are wider family members who might deter you from yourDreams.
But just as there are those who discourage, so it is possibleto find others who have successfully left Familiar and followed theirDream. It’s interesting that the author indicates that we need friendsif we are to achieve our Big Dream, those who will support us in thequest of what appears to be Uncertainty.
Now the problem with a parable of this nature is that ittouches home. How many times have you experienced this kind of responsefrom parents and close friends – possibly even from your wife orhusband? “You can’t do that. It’s too risky.” Or, “how on earth did youever get the idea that you could do that?”
For some reason, it’s easy for the “power of negative thinking”to take hold of those close to you. If you’re not careful, you begin todoubt not only that you have a Dream, but also that the Dream Giverplanted it in you.
When the Going Gets Tough…
If following a Big Dream were easy, we would not need books suchas this to help us on our way. And Wilkinson is aware there can beyears in the Wasteland, the next hurdle to achieving a Dream. In thereality of life, following a Dream can be frustrating, appear to be awaste of time, and burdened with difficulties. The Dream Giver appearsnowhere to be found, and Ordinary thinks he’s abandoned. This is theWasteland.
At this stage, the author introduces us to Faith – sent by theDream Giver to help. The first thing Ordinary asks is that he be giventhe directions back to Familiar. But Faith cannot help him. “’Thatfigures,’ [says] Ordinary. ‘The Dream Giver sends me a helper who can’teven help.’”
How many of us, when our Dreams seem shattered, react likeOrdinary? Whose fault is it we’re in the Wasteland and nothing appearsto be going right? We do not like to find fault with ourselves. And wecertainly do not entertain easily the idea that maybe we need thisWasteland to help our character develop the way the Dream Giver thinksis necessary. So we blame the Dream Giver for our difficulties, rail athim for his apparent withdrawal from us, and like Ordinary, we want toturn back from following our Dream.
Ordinary, fortunately, follows Faith, finds Sanctuary and a reneweddialogue with the Dream Giver, and is encouraged to move forward. Buthe can achieve this only if he surrenders his Big Dream to the DreamGiver. Which he does, only to find that his Big Dream comes back to himlarger than before. Surrendering your Big Dream to the Dream Giver isthe only way to make sure that the Dream itself comes from the DreamGiver.
The Obstacles Grow, But So Does Hope
Encouraged to move ahead, Ordinary soon finds himself confrontedby the Land of the Giants. By now, Ordinary has met other Dreamers, andencouraged by their stories and encouragement learns that he can dobattle with Giants of all kinds.
But he also meets the Wounded Warrior who, surprisingly, sharesthe same Big Dream. The Wounded Warrior, however, is dying on the fieldof battle, her Big Dream never quite realized. But she helps Ordinarysee that sometimes a Big Dream is bigger than a single person. She dieson the battlefield to help Ordinary get further than he mightotherwise. These are the people who prepare the ground for our BigDream, and make it possible for us to move further ahead than those whohave gone before.
Ordinary also realizes, however, that for the Wounded Warrior,death on the battlefield was her Big Dream. He senses that Big Dreamscan take more than one person and more than one lifetime, an importantlesson many need to learn.
Prepare for Battle
Here in the Land of the Giants, however, Ordinary meets theAnybodies. They come from the City of Anybodies, where a Giant ofDarkness holds them in captivity and oppresses them from his strongholdat the gates. No one can leave or enter. The Anybodies do not believein the Dream Giver, but Ordinary hears the Dream Giver’s instruction:“Prepare for Battle.” Now he’s told to put down his weapons and dobattle with the Giant of Darkness. In the name of the Dream Giver,Ordinary overcomes the Giant, resulting in the Anybodies singingpraises to the Dream Giver.
Now Ordinary is ready for the Promised Land. As he walkedthrough the Anybodies’ city, he heard the Dream Giver say, “What do yousee?”
Ordinary saw what the Dream Giver wanted him to see. “‘I see beautiful Anybodies in great need,’ he said.”
And he saw something else: the Name of his Dream carved on theinside of the gate of the city of Anybodies. Ordinary had arrived. Thiswas his Dream.
In this fascinating parable, Bruce Wilkinson not only takes uson a journey of following a Big Dream, but at the same time seems tolay down a challenge. We do not find out until the end of the parableexactly what Ordinary’s Dream really is – helping those less fortunate.This is certainly the journey of the author himself, whose recent workin Africa helping the less fortunate has been an inspiration andtestimony to the power of God.
But is this the Big Dream that all of us share? What of thosewho dream of being artists, doctors, mechanics, lawyers, housewives andmothers? Are these valid dreams? Certainly the story of Ordinaryapplies to many who have never made it to Africa, yet who equallystruggle in the Wasteland or the Land of Giants trying to fulfill theirBig Dream.
Time to Dream Big
The Parable takes only the first part of the book. The secondpart is the Parable applied. As the author says, “the good news forevery Dreamer is that each stage or obstacle along our journey isintended not to block our dream, but to help us break through to thefulfillment God promises.”
Wilkinson believes that each person has a Dream, but they donot always pursue it. No wonder there’s so much unhappiness in acountry such as America where people are abundantly blessed witheconomic prosperity. For many, they work at the job to pay down themortgage, put bread and butter on the table, educate the children, andprovide for old age.
But deep within each one of us there’s often that “other man orwoman” who wishes we were doing something else. Time and circumstancedo not always permit us to follow our Dream, and I think the author isaware of this. That is why he wrote the book.
But he also wrote the book to encourage you in the journey oflife. He wants you to look inside and find the Dream that has beenplanted there by the Dream Giver. Then follow the Dream wherever itleads. But don’t be surprised if it lands you in the Promised Land.It’s there you’ll find Anybodies who need help and encouragement sothat they too can follow what appears to be “the impossible dream.”
Whether your goal is to be a musician or a missionary, apolitician or a preacher, a banker or a businessman, this book willencourage you. If you haven’t started on your Big Dream, this book willchallenge you to move forward. And if you’re struggling in theWasteland and battling Giants of all kinds, this book is a timelyreminder that you should not give up just yet. The Dream Giver is usingthose circumstances to make you into the kind of person he wants you tobe.
But perhaps most of all, The Dream Giver challengesyou to discover that at the end of the day, your Dream has a widerpurpose than just your own personal achievement or satisfaction. Theneeds of others less privileged than you make such selfish aims appearcallous.
And after reading this book, you’ll have no choice but to move forward.
I highly recommend this read or if you are short of time like me, buy the DVD which is great to watch and is in 30 minute increments.
Lance
-Esse Quam Videri-
Things That Do Not Require Talent
By Dr. John C. Maxwell
Talent grips us. We areovertaken by the beauty of Michelangelo’s sculpture, riveted by MariahCarey’s angelic voice, doubled over in laughter by the comedy of RobinWilliams, and captivated by the on screen performances of DenzelWashington.
However, we live in a world ofupsets. The most talented do not always end up as celebrities, andthose with less talent often do. Upsets are written into our historyand occur around us every day. A ragtag army of revolutionariesdefeated the British Empire to free the American colonies and to founda new nation. As a startup company, Google outwitted and outperformedentrenched search engines which had far more capital and namerecognition.
Why are the most talented not always the best? What enables the less skilled to be, at times, far more successful?
The goal of this edition of LWis not to minimize talent, but to emphasize qualities independent oftalent which, when practiced, add value to others and ourselves. Whilethe four traits I’ve highlighted in this lesson are not comprehensive,they are among the most prominent qualities that do not rely upontalent.
Teachability
The desire to listen, learn, andapply is not innate, but when cultivated, it aids the growth anddevelopment of a leader. In the words of Henry Brooks Adams “They knowenough who know how to learn.”
Look for and plan your teachablemoments. Intentionally ask questions to draw out the depth ofexperience and knowledge in those around you. My best friends are mybest teachers. I love to learn, and I am fascinated by individuals whohave a wealth of wisdom to share. As Beltasar Gracian said, “Make yourfriends your teachers and mingle the pleasures of conversation with theadvantages of instruction.” Find teachable moments, and make themcount. Live to learn and you will really learn to live.
Successful people view learningdifferently than those who are less successful. For successful leaders,learning is as necessary as breathing. They crave knowledge and seek itout through books, conferences, conversations, and evaluatedexperiences. The unsuccessful person is burdened by learning, andprefers to walk down familiar paths. Their distaste for learning stuntstheir growth and limits their influence.
Initiative
Initiative is the inner drivethat propels leaders to achieve great dreams. American founding father,Benjamin Franklin, held to the following maxim about initiative: “Tosucceed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”Leaders with initiative have an eagerness to make things happen. Theyhave a positive restlessness that prevents them from being content withaverage.
A person with initiative acceptsresponsibility for his or her own life. Such a person authors their ownhistory. As Elbert Hubbard says, “The world bestows its prizes, bothits money and honors, on one thing and that’s initiative. What isinitiative? I will tell you. It is doing the right thing without beingtold.” Initiators incline themselves toward action.
Passion
Passion is a faultless predictorof success. How many high achievers lack enthusiasm? How many greatleaders do you admire who are indifferent? A dispassionate person willnot go far before they give up hope of achieving big dreams. On theother hand, a person of passion will move mountains to see their dreamcome to fruition. Passion long outlasts talent for a leader in pursuitof a vision.
When it comes to passion, thereare two kinds of people: fire lighters and fire fighters. Fire fightersfocus on what’s wrong with an idea rather than what’s right. Theypossess a doubting spirit, and they resist change. Fire fighters lovethe words “Yes, but.” They are always finding flaws, and they dampenthe fire inside of those around them.
Avoid fire fighters at allcosts, and instead, seek out fire lighters. Fire lighters areencouragers. They uplift and sustain others through tough times. Theyshare in triumphs, and spur others toward bigger and betterperformances.
Successful individualsprioritize their commitments according to their passion. They refuse tobe dissuaded from living out the dream inside of them. When troublescome, they don’t have to artificially generate perseverance—it sweepsover them like an ocean wave.
Courage
Courage is an every day test. Weoften think of courage as a quality required only in times of greatdanger or stress, but courage is an everyday virtue, needed to live alife without regrets. In the words of James Harvey Robinson,“Greatness, in the last analysis, is largely bravery. Courage isescaping from old ideas and old standards and respectable ways of doingthings.”
Plentiful reasons add courage tothe list of admirable qualities that exist apart from talent. We needcourage to seek the truth when we know it may be painful. We needcourage to change when it’s easier to remain comfortable. We needcourage to express our convictions when others challenge us. We needcourage to learn and grow, especially when doing so exposes ourweaknesses. We need courage to take the high road when others treat usbadly, and lastly, we need courage to lead when being in front makes usan easy target for criticism.
Perhaps Miguel Cervantes bestsummarizes courage: “He who loses wealth loses much; he who losesfriends loses more; but he who loses his courage loses all.”
Summary
There is no substitute fortalent, but there are several supplements that can transform evenmodest talent into greatness. Teachability, initiative, passion, andcourage are a sampling of qualities that endow talent witheffectiveness and spur average skills sets into extraordinary successstories. Don’t minimize talent, but magnify the qualities that canaccompany it, and build them day by day.
-Esse Quam Videri-
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends, your faith and your country
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.Value other peoples opinions and try to see things from their point of view.
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment
Courage - The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
Perseverance Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
Loyalty - A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection
Duty - An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion: Do your duty to your country. Moral obligation: acting out of duty. The compulsion felt to meet such obligation.
Selfless Service - Selfless Service is a commonly used term to denote a service which is performed without any expectation of result or award for the person performing it. It is also sometimes used to denote a service performed with no apparent 'earthly' result, but which may accrue results in a spiritual or heavenly realm after death, although in the pure sense of the term that would not qualify as a strictly 'selfless' action.
Honor - Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity.
b. A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
Integrity - 1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
Grace - refers to the sovereign favor of God for humankind — especially in regard to salvation — irrespective of actions ("deeds"), earned worth, or proven goodness more broadly, grace refers to God's gifts to humankind, including life, creation and salvation.
