Every year, at graduation time, successful people are invited
to address the graduates. They spew out worthless advice about how to succeed. They give a lot of false hope to the average
graduate. Their advice is usually some variation of the following. “You can be
successful if you do these four things: Follow your passion, master your craft,
learn from history, and study philosophy for leadership lessons.” Sounds simple
enough but it is not the truth. These people have had the advantage of very
good genes and lucky opportunities. The average graduate is not blessed with
the intelligence of a Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. And, they are not blessed with
the fortunate opportunities and physical abilities that enable them to achieve
their dream in the long haul. Theodore Roosevelt had better advice, "Do what you can,
with what you have, where you are”.
My favorite advice for success
in life was expressed by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “To laugh often and much; to win
the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the
appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To
appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social
condition; to know that even one life
has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded”.
Your eloquent word of agreement is the vindication I was hoping for. You are a brilliant man with at least one correct opinion.
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