The song, “I Believe”, is very special to me.  On my first date with Tommy, one of his best friends said to me, “You’ll never really know Tommy until you hear him sing ‘I Believe’.  It will give you goose bumps!” By the time I did hear him sing the song, I knew why it had such an impact on others. The words expressed core beliefs on which his life was based.  His parents had passed these beliefs down to him. When our sons, Bret and Bart, came along, I saw him instill in them his belief, “When faced with a choice, do what’s right.”  We knew what he stood for.            

I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.
I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way.
I believe, I believe.
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard.
I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word.
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe.
(Drake, Graham, Shirl, and Stillman, 1952)

At LSU’s Spring Graduation way back in 2003, Dr. Lynne Cheney, substituting for her husband Vice-President Dick Cheney, gave the keynote address. She discussed five things that she believed were critical to individual success: (1) Do something you love; (2) Act like you know what you’re doing; (3) Know what you’re doing; (4) Have a place to stand—a set of principles, values and beliefs that define who you are, what you do, and provide guidance in planning and decision-making; (5) Be flexible, in light of an ever-changing world. When she finished, we knew what she stood for.                

Tommy Lofton has defined for us the beliefs on which Lofton Staffing was founded, but it is also important that we as individuals clearly define and know what we stand for.  You might begin by collecting books, songs, notes, quotes, and jotting down a few ideas that represent your beliefs and values in different aspects of life.  Here are some questions to get you started:  

• What matters most to you?
• What is the center of your life?
• What personal traits or characteristics do you value? Honesty? Integrity? Perseverance? Dependability? Caring?
• What principles or beliefs guide your relationship with others—your fellow man, family, friends, enemies, co-workers?
• What are your beliefs about government and your role in it?
• What are your beliefs about work?
• What makes you happy?
• What are your beliefs about education and your role as a teacher and learner?
• What do you believe about God and your relationship to God?
• What do you hope to contribute/achieve in your life?
• What would you die for?
• How do you want to be remembered?  

Simply stated, what do you stand for? Do your family, friends, and co-workers know what you stand for?

About Lofton: Founded in 1979, Lofton Services offers clients the best of all worlds. We provide the responsive, personal service and flexibility of a small local firm while having the technology, resources, and infrastructure to deliver the benefits of the biggest players in our industry. Lofton Staffing can deliver the right people, with the right skills, right when you need them. Contact us today.