WINNERS NEVER GIVE UP

WINNERS NEVER GIVE UP
By Tommy Franks

Winners keep on going in good times, bad times, sad times, hard times, and stormy times. Adversity becomes a challenge. The only thing that can stop a winner is the person himself. Winners are not born. They are made. They come in all kinds of packages...small, large, short, tall, black, white, brown, red, or yellow. Experience, education, intelligence, money, and talent are not prerequisites. Winning is a deliberate decision. It comes from the inside out. As human beings, we are born to win; however, a decision must be made to be a winner. That decision can come early in life or late in life. The Kentucky Colonel of Kentucky Fried Chicken made that decision in his mid sixties. He decided that he would become a winner with what he had in his hands...a recipe of delicious, golden fried chicken. The world has never been the same since.

The difference between a loser and a winner is "a will to win" and "a determination to win" regardless of how long it takes. Victory and defeat are sometimes only seconds, minutes, or a few days apart. The turtle continued in the race. No one really expected him to win against the swift rabbit, but he did. He persevered. He continued against all odds. He had a winner's attitude and...a big heart. He kept on going in spite of the criticism...and won.

The time was 1965. In North Dakota, it had begun to snow. A three year old child had gone out to play in the beautiful snow flakes. He wondered too far from his home. The parents called all the neighbors and people from the entire community to help look for their son. They joined hands and covered the open field behind their house. They walked the entire length of the field, but did not find the sweet little boy. The parents, family members, and neighbors wept. Where could he be? They gave up and finally went home. In the spring after the snow had melted, some hunters found his remains only three feet from where the search had ended. BOTTOMLINE: They stopped only three feet short of finding the precious little guy.

The above true story is tragic and this type of thing does happen. Many times victory is only inches or minutes away. Thomas Alva Edison had 1000 failures with the invention of the light bulb. On experiment number 1001, he became successful. Many people of his day said that he was mad, foolish, and an eccentric old man. The news media wrote all kinds of nasty things about him. Did he give up? No...never! Victory will come to the winner. The eagle flies over the storm!

Winners and successful people outlasts tough times. They never see themselves losing. If you think you will fail, you will. If you think a situation is hopeless, it is. There is an infallible statement that the Master Teacher once made, "Nothing shall be impossible unto you". Who was He talking about? He was talking about individuals that have faith and truly believe in themselves and a Supreme Being. You see, even the Carpenter had great faith in Himself and the Creator of the Universe. He knew His purpose...His mission...His abilities...His destiny. Difficult times are only temporary, but you are eternal and permanent.


When I was just an infant, my sister dropped me in the fireplace by accident. I almost died afterwards; however, my mother had a winning attitude and great faith in God. She talked to me everyday and encouraged me with words like, "Tommy, you can do it. You can make it. One day you will be an influence on others. You will learn to use your hands and arms again. You will learn to speak with fluency. I anointed you to God before you were even born. No devil is going to take you from me. You will live and not die! I will never give up on you and neither will my God." I cried for one year because of the pain, but her faithful words and powerful positive attitude were used by God to keep me alive and give me new skin and new flesh. Today, there are no visible scars.

Because of her faith, self confidence, and persistence, today I can play basketball with my children and grandchildren, hold them in my arms, go to a movie with them, and reluctantly teach them to drive an automobile. I can DREAM, think about the good times, go to delicious dinner functions, and write articles and books. When things look so dim and dark, never give up. Light will shine as the clouds move away.

Someone once said that "impossible" is not a valid condition. It's a state of mind. First, see yourself winning. Second, start talking in a positive manner concerning your goal or dream. Third, always keep yourself focused on your goal and aspirations. Fourth, surround yourself with positive people who can give you positive feedback without negative criticism. Be bold and never, never give up! Winners never give up. Troubles and setbacks are only temporary. But great success and victory are permanent milestones.