Faith Thru Fire

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18) is a favorite truism.

I had the privilege to meet with Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A Chairman, Monday morning. I received an invitation less than a week ago to join in a private fireside chat from alma mata Palm Beach Atlantic University. For some unforeseen reason, I felt drawn to the meeting. Now I know why.

Mr. Cathy is a man of humility, leadership, and vision. In our society, leadership is often associated with titles, power, and money. Mr. Cathy humbly demonstrated that true leadership is far more; it is a form of servitude.

Chick-Fil-A considers itself a restaurant in the people business. That the word restaurant originated in French, meaning to "restore." This is the heart of the Cathy Family's mission. Founder Truett Cathy viewed his business as more than a means of revenue for him and his family; it was a source of encouragement to others.

"Everyone's job at Chick-fil-A is to serve. No matter our title or job description, our reason for coming to work is to generously share our time and talents. Whether it's treating customers like friends, or serving our communities like neighbors, we believe kindness is a higher calling."

Dan shared numerous nuggets of wisdom and experience during our four-hour fireside chat. He spoke about both his personal and professional life. In 2002, Dan Cathy suffered severe burns in an accident, leading to broadening the scope of his reach and understanding, what he calls, "enlarging his territory" by connecting to healthcare workers and those hospitalized.

He was treated at the Grady Memorial Hospital's burn unit; he received crucial pain management and hydrotherapy sessions. This experience ultimately broadened Dan's appreciation for those in extended hospitalization and first responders. His faith in God was unwavering throughout. He wrote a booklet about the accident, "The Burning Brush," that I found riveting as I powered through it.

Mr. Cathy's journey revealed his immense appreciation for the help he received and heightened his awareness of how much communities and relationships can lend support during a crisis. His unwavering faith enabled him to face any fears head-on, while also deepening his understanding of compassion and empathy.

VISION → Imagined

The Downtown Connector in Atlanta, like many other highways that circle around cities, can cause divisions between neighborhoods. The highway was designed to help with transport needs, it also ends up creating structures and walls which disproportionately impact lower-income areas - leading to unequal access to resources and opportunities.

The private sector and government are actively discovering ways to minimize or remove any negative effects on vulnerable communities caused by highways.

The cover photo (provided here) provides a vision for Atlanta with verdant greenery and a park perched atop the chaotic traffic below. This is an ambitious, evolved thought process that will bring people together and foster opportunity.

VISION → Fulfilled

In closing, Mr. Cathy said, "My challenge for all of us is, let's look at the landscape of all the issues that are going on out there, and let's find something that we can take on. And let's just go for it. As we get older, we get bolder. Let's all get bolder. We are only going to live this life one time. Let's just go for it!"