To My Magnificent Agents, Staff and Friends:
For in the final analysis, our most basic common link, is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children’s futures, and we are all mortal.
Last week there was a considerable amount of media coverage marking the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. The excerpt above is not from the memorable speech he gave that day. Rather it is from a speech he gave at The American University in Washington, D.C. on June 10, 1963. It has always been one of my favorite JFK quotes. In light of my son’s diagnosis of cancer and his surgery last week, President Kennedy’s words have even more profound resonance with me. Humans through the ages have all shared these common threads; we cherish our children’s future and we are all mortal.
As you know from last week’s Motivation, my son, Joel, had a remarkably positive outcome. My wife, Stephanie and I believe it to be miraculous and we are so grateful. We know that the scores of you who offered prayers and support played no small role in that outcome. Each of you will be in our hearts forever.
In one of my readings this week, I came across a letter that was written by Robert E. Lee to his son, G. W. Curtis Lee. It reminded me of that cherished bond that we all share for our children. In the letter, Lee was trying to impress on his son, who was away at school at the time, the importance of living a virtuous life. In that sense, his words are not only moving as a father’s wish for his son’s future, but also a reminder to all of us as to what we should strive for in regard to doing our duty as children of God. I hope you enjoy it.
You must study to be frank with the world; frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right. If a friend asks a favor, you should grant it, if it is reasonable; If not, tell him plainly why you cannot; you will wrong him and wrong yourself by equivocation of any kind. Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so, is dearly purchased at a sacrifice. Deal kindly but firmly, with all your classmates; you will find it the policy which wears best. Above all, do not appear to others what you are not. If you have any fault to find with anyone, tell him, not others, of what you complain. There is no more dangerous experiment than that of undertaking to be one thing before a man’s face and another behind his back. We should live, act, and say , nothing to the injury of anyone. It is not only best as a matter of principle, but it is the path to peace and honor.
In regard to duty, let me in conclusion of this hasty letter, inform you that, nearly a hundred years ago, there was a day of remarkable gloom and darkness – still known as “the dark day” – a day when the light of the sun was slowly extinguished, as if by eclipse. The Legislature of Connecticut was in session, and, as the members saw the unexpected and unaccountable darkness coming on, they shared in the general awe and terror. It was supposed by many that the last day – the day of judgment – had come. Someone, in the consternation of the hour, moved an adjournment. Then there arose an old Puritan legislator, Davenport, of Stamford, and said that, if the last day had come, he desired to be found at his place doing his duty, and, therefore, moved that candles be brought in, so that the House could proceed with its duty. There was a quietness in that man’s mind, the quietness of heavenly wisdom and inflexible willingness to obey present duty. Duty, then, is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things like the old Puritan. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. Never let me and your mother wear one gray hair for any lack of duty on your part.
The words are timeless and certainly relevant, not just for our children, but for all of us.
Have an AWE-full weekend!
Bill