This weekend, I volunteered for the Academic All-State Banquet, which honors excellence in Oklahoma's public schools, including the top 100 high school students. All of these students share one trait: incredible intelligence ... if someone made a perfect score on their SAT or ACT, there's a good chance they'll be an All-Stater. Back in the day, I was one of these over-achievers (No worries...no perfect score for me), and I alway love to see which way the pendulum swings with the current class ... toward well-adjusted common sense or toward can tell you what caused the rain, but doesn't have the sense to come in out of it. One thing I've learned from personal experience is that to have book smarts does not necessarily mean you have common sense. I know I got the short end of the common sense stick. That's why I try to surround myself with sensible people.
Former U.S. Senator and US. Ambassador to the United Nations John Danforth addressed these students and gave them some practical advice on being admirable. I had heard that Danforth could be a bit dry, so my expectations weren't terribly high. He was a pleasant surprise. He was short, practical and to the point; and, if the students were paying attention, they could have added some to their common sense reserve. My favorite Danforthism was: No one is proud of a successful jerk. Amen.
If you've been blessed with success, be humble about it. Thank those who have helped you get where you are. Give back to the community around you.
(My knee surgery is tomorrow, so I may be under the influence of pain meds for my next post. That should be interesting ...)
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