The School Reunion Irony

Nearing my next school reunion, I am reminded of this irony: Some students, who were the smartest and most popular in school, haven’t done so well afterwards; many of those who weren’t, have. Why is this?

The late Charley Munger* provided one answer. “I constantly see people rise in life who are not the smartest, sometimes not even the most diligent, but they are learning machines. They go to bed every night a little wiser than they were before they got up and, boy, does that help when you have a long run ahead of you.” (Charley Munger, USC Law School, 2007)

You probably see more in Munger’s words than just— keep learning. He implies that by continuing to learn, we gain the tools to address and adapt to life’s changes during the “long run ahead.” We’ve all observed what happens to people who can’t adapt; perhaps they are former classmates.

Good grades and popularity indicated success in the short term era of school; how relevant are these indicators during the long run of a lifetime? Of eternal life, where God is measuring success?

“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” (Col 3:23). God ranks our heart as an important success indicator now and for eternal life.

(* Charley Munger was considered the leading advisor of acclaimed investor, Warren Buffet.)