Whether he’s working the oil patch, dancing the tango, fighting cancer with both fists or sprinkling the Texas landscape with research centers, second-generation oil man Lester Smith’s wild-catting spirit extends to every aspect of his life.

In the past five years, The Smith Foundation has provided hundreds of organizations and individuals with major gifts and grants. His passion for dancing led him to the national ballroom dancing scene, where he won two national championship titles. Now, with Trish Morille, he has collected the legendary tales of how he gives back. It’s a new twist on philanthropy: all profits go to support breast cancer and genomic research, and the Smith Foundation will provide matching funds. Here is inspiration about the power of giving.

And Lester is a real raconteur. The eighteen tales collected here will have readers laughing, crying and most of all wondering, “Is this another one of Lester’s fish stories?” But when it comes to living and loving and opening his heart, his home and his entire being to celebrate the dance of life, Lester’s the genuine article. A love story to his life, his wife, and his ever-expanding community, You Gotta Dance Like No One’s Watching shows the power of a generous spirit that cannot be contained.

Stepping on stage with Gloria Gaynor at one of his legendary galas, Lester belted out his message:

I’ve got all my life to live;
I’ve got all my love to give;
And I’ll survive. I will survive.

His stories are proof that if you want to make a difference—in living, in loving or in giving—you gotta dance like no one’s watching.