The phrase that was so often shouted by FRED FLINTSTONE when he wasn't  able to process his emotions is the title of this week's "Food For Thought". It is not so much the cool diamond plaid caveman shirt, the fact that he had a pet dinosaur, or even that he used his feet as both the accelerator and brakes on his stone vehicle that makes FRED FLINTSTONE the focus today. So what is it? It's BEDROCK! That's right...it is the name of his hometown that I'm interested in.

Bedrock   - The fundamental principles on which something is based.

I'm speaking about foundation! The word of God speaks of both The Wise and Foolish Builders in Matthew 7:

24 "Therefore everyone who  hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat   against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

We often focus on growing and reaching new levels...but often fail to realize that a proper foundation is the key to successfully accomplishing this. Skyscrapers are a prime example of this principle. Due to the great height of skyscrapers, huge foundations are needed   to support these structures. First, a large h*** is dug into the ground to reach a point of stable soil (often bedrock). After some stability is reached, large steel footings are placed, and from these, vertical steel beams are placed along with a network of rebar. This is an image in actual proportion; the foundation of the CN Tower is 50 ft (15m) deep, to support the 1,815 ft (553m) structure.The foundation itself is almost five floors deep! Most house foundations are only one to two feet deep. Compare that to a skyscraper!

Another word or phrase for our personal bedrock's is "core values". Core values are traits or qualities that we consider not just worthwhile, but they represent our individual or our organization's highest priorities, deeply held beliefs, and core, fundamental driving forces. Core values define what we and our organization believes and how we want both resonating with and appealing to employees and the external world.

So ask yourself "What are some of my core values"? Do they need to be refreshed or renewed? Am I operating and/or building upon them? If not it may be time for some changes. If your core values are front and center then truly the "Sky is the limit".

So Yabba Dabba Doo... 

David VIla, CEO