Dig Deep (eBook)

After quarterbacking the University of Oklahoma Sooners to two Orange Bowl championships and starring in the Canadian Football League, J. C. WATTS JR. became the first African American elected to statewide office in Oklahoma and later served four terms in the U.S. Congress, rising to the chairmanship of the Republican Conference and authoring the legislation for President George W. Bush’s faith-based initiative. A former youth pastor and the son of a pastor, Watts is the founder and chairman of Watts Partners, a government affairs firm in Washington, owns John Deere dealerships in Texas, and is president of Feed the Children in Oklahoma City. His previous book is the autobiography What Color Is a Conservative? My Life and My Politics. The father of six children, Watts lives with his wife, Frankie, in Fairfax, Virginia.

INTRODUCTIONJ.C. Watts sets up his specific and unique message to his reader: “Our hurt, our pain, our shortcomings can teach us how to do life better. Don’t waste those experiences.”Chapter One Not What They Did To Me, But What They Did For MeJ.C. uses the personal story of a very intense political investigation to show how crisis both reveals and builds character. Sometimes the very situations that initially seem damaging can serve as agents of promotion, if handled with wisdom.Chapter TwoStrength Is Not in Hanging On, But Letting GoThe author takes a new look at the power of forgiveness, apology and reaching out to others. Unlike the passing thrill of new toys and fresh resolutions, letting go of the damaging pieces of our lives is the only authentic way to permanently find joy.Chapter ThreeUnlearn and RethinkTraditions in and of themselves are not bad but they can keep us from growing and doing life better. J.C.’s openness to reexamining old patterns about political parties, styles of worship, race, diet and parenting is an encouraging viewpoint toward change. The author looks at how entrenched resistance to new ideas can be seen in families, politics and churches, and how we can unlock true transformation by allowing—even encouraging—criticism and correction to break down the walls.Chapter FourHistory Need Not Be DestinyFollowing closely after the lessons in the previous chapter, J.C. destroys the myth that the mistakes of our past weld us to failure in our future. Using personal stories and moving historical examples, the power of determination and patience is shown to make an astounding difference in the lives of those who will not be harnessed to their past.Chapter FiveShort-term Sacrifice, Long-term GainAfter laying the foundation for moving past crippling resentments and then cleaning up faulty mindsets, the author sets forth to show the powerful principle of good, hard work in the achievement of goals. Examples from his own life and the lives of well-known friends are used to inspire a clear course of action.Chapter SixGo Smart, Be SmartPerhaps one of the most defining aspects of our life’s path is the choice of the people with whom we walk that path. These can be friends, business partners or confidantes. The importance of choosing wisely—taking worldview, faith, personality and judgement into consideration—is laid out in this chapter.Chapter SevenStand on Broader ShouldersThe story of J.C. Watts is remarkable, and he is fully aware of the price so many have paid to give him the possibility of the life of opportunity he has had. This chapter is full of the author’s experiences with those heroes, and his determination and admonition to live worthy of those who have come before. The book closes with a turn toward the future of our country: Because we have been the beneficiaries of great individuals, now we must give ourselves to investment in others.