To Young Adults: An Article and 'Final Logic'

The final of four parts.

An article —

You will not need paper or pencil for the two quizzes, but the important thing is that you understand the point or lesson, which the author makes clear. It goes …

The following is the philosophy (that's been circulated on the Internet and attributed to different people).

You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the email straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name 10 people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series Winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies.
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials … the most money … or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.

Finally my three sentence theological statement I call “Final Logic” and a reflection. You will get the point. It goes …

Socrates was certainly one of the great ones.  He lived, he died, he was buried, and he stayed buried. Buddha, Gandhi, and Muhammad - they too lived, died were buried and they stayed buried. Only one of the great ones lived, died was buried and did not stay buried.

Even if “Final Logic” is wrong, doesn’t it make sense that we should live our lives certain ways and not certain other ways? Doesn’t it make sense that the Law of Commandments and the Law of Common Sense, morals, rights and wrongs, are very similar? Isn’t it logical that by raising the level of others around us, we inevitably raise ourselves? Doesn’t the sum of elevated parts, we being the elevated parts, equal an elevated whole? Isn’t it best for our older generation when our youngest generation is the best they can be? Don’t thinks like this make sense?

Please remember the things I told you about alcohol, drugs, tobacco and not to do things like trying to beat trains.

Editor's note: This is the final of four parts that publish a speech Harley made May 9 during public comment before the Hartland Board of Education. He has since decided to share it here in a series of blog posts. You can hear Harley in his own words by clicking on the video.

For part one, click here.

For part two, click .

For part three, click here.

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