• artistic side & leadership side – which one comes more naturally? - both born in childhood
• imagination was to escape what was happening at the time
• work ethic from dad
• “all things work together for good”
• separate sides - artist side needs space to create
• dedicate 3-4 months for writing with 2-3 days to do business
• creatives with no respect for budgets and others? - great artists know how to honor the time of others
• needs for the creative side - clear the noise
• clear the clutter
• get away from everybody for awhile to be still and listen
• similar for creativity and listening to God
• how do you inspire workers? - surrounds himself with people like him
• give underdogs a chance
• give people with the best attitude a chance
• hardships in life as a child? - dad was frustrated with the world
• fear in parents from the past
• despised as an artist child
• was unable to protect mom when beaten by dad
• every Sunday morning would go to church – mom would be singing, dancing, and lifted at church
• “I want to know the God that makes my mother this happy…Jesus”
• mom gave faith in God that has sustained him through everything
• It takes huge amounts of energy to forgive - the exact same amount of energy that went into the betrayal is needed to be able to forgive
• Forgiveness is scary because “You give up the hope of what happened to you ever being any different”
• Madea character - used to get messages across
• “use the laughter as the anesthesia to get to the real heart of the matter”
• message in successful and lower class - being grateful for what you have and don’t judge others you don’t know
• it could be any of us who would be in a tough place
• How do we find hope with continuing racial issues? - every generation gets a little better
• “people are just people”
• “It was her life experience. It wasn’t mine.”
• people should open the doors to other people
• Critics? - rather than focus on the critics, focus on how many people are positively influenced
• “thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies”
• “Watch me eat!”
• What drives philanthropy? - mom had a heart for giving…not money
• to whom much is given, much is required
• want to help others around the world
• Talk church… - devoted follower of Christ
• don’t find it is easy to stay connected with a local church because of how much wealth he has
• there is power in the assembly
• many celebrities would like to go to church without judgement
• 30 years from now, what kind of legacy? - people won’t forget how you made them feel
• desire to have the movies speak to people and help them through situations
• want to help people feel good

Categories: Leadership · Originally published on stephen.braunius.org