What A Miserable Cur He Was

They say Benjamin Franklin was a miserable cur when he was a young man. It is true. 

There is more than enough written evidence to prove that the young Benjamin Franklin was no friend of yours or mine.

Franklin tells stories about his early years. He made enemies faster than he could make friends. His friends or perhaps better described as associates, disliked him to the point that they would cross the street to avoid having to look in his eyes or greet him.  No friend of mine!

Here is the fascinating point. Benjamin Franklin began his life as probably among the most friendless individuals in the country. He died as probably the best known, most liked American in the world! Some cities at the time of his death, took a minute of silence in respect for this man and his multitudinous gifts to the world. How could that be?

The transformation of this young man began when he accepted the personal responsibility to do whatever it would take to become a likable person.  Franklin began by asking for critique from an associate who was honest and direct with him. He didn’t like what he heard. 

He took the critique in the best way he could. He accepted the personal responsibility for who he was and determined to develop his character, attitude, persona so that he would become the person he could become. Franklin had no idea where this would lead except toward  ‘better and meaningful relationships’.

Benjamin Franklin began with the transformation of self which led to meaningful relationships. How are your relationships?

Relationships are the key to any success story in life. Relationships are the glue in every association we have. From a friendship, marriage, business achievement, political service, sports team, family relationships, Church involvement, jobs, careers. Nothing goes anywhere in life without meaningful relationships.

Someone once said that ‘management is leadership without relationships’. This is most certainly true. We get the job done as a manager because of our position. Be it father, mother, teacher, older sibling, we can order and it will be accomplished. After all, we are the boss! But leadership functions without the necessary external management authority. 

Meaningful leadership garners authority from within. Whether it be respect for the person giving the order or suggestion or the idea or the vision we willingly participate. The relationship encourages us to develop, integrate the idea and use it in our own ways to grow and be a better person and to get the ‘job’ done while we grow ourselves. It is God at work! 

Successful people in life always have strong relationships. They are remembered for their relationships more than their ‘success’.

The Bible gives many examples of both. Jonathon and David were such close friends that you would think they were joined at the hip. They were a phenomenal team. King Samuel was a powerful leader but remembered only because of his atrocities if he is remembered at all. A Rich Young Ruler, name unknown, asked Jesus a pivotal question but left in disgust when he heard the answer. He is neither known by name nor remembered as a person nor a leader. A man of short stature and little talk is remembered by his name, Zaccheus because he took the time to develop a meaningful relationship with Jesus. 

Success in every area of life requires good solid meaningful relationships built upon truth and love. 

Let God be the Teacher of truth and the One who provides the life measure and you will be surprised by the kind of person you shall become. It all begins with a decision to work on yourself. With the help of God…..