Summa Cum Laude

I was at a dinner the other evening. It wasn't for me but I was there. It was held to honor lots of people who had graduated in the top ten percentile in their college graduation classes. There was  - as expected - a cocktail hour before the dinner and, by chance, a man and his sister came to sit with us at our table. The man admitted he had graduated by the skin of his teeth but he was there as his sister's guest and because he had put a video presentation together for the college. I noted that there were very, very few luminaries among the top ten. They were all successful people but nothing extraordinary. The guy who got the biggest cheers was that man who had sat with us and who probably graduated in the bottom ten percent. It is well-known that many super-successful people are often not the ones who succeed in school. This was no exception. It's not the teachers who matter; it's the pupils. You could name ten or twenty extraordinary historical figures but you could never name who their teachers were. It matters, but not that much. As the 1800 tequila commercial says, "enough said." 

Who likes to fail?

They say Abraham Lincoln, the greatest American President, failed at many enterprises he tried before going into politics and public service. The failures obviously prepared him for the great challenge that lay ahead - the Civil War. Failure is not nice, but if you recognize it for what it is - a challenge to your ingenuity and perseverance - you can learn to manage it. It soon loses its control over you.

Another suicide

It appears that another beautiful woman has taken her own life. Lucy Gordon did it a few months ago and now, according to reports, Daul Kim has hung herself. I'm sure she had many friends. However, if a person feels isolated and chooses to stay behind an impenetrable wall, there's very little anyone can do. Up until the last few days, she probably appeared perfectly adjusted and fulfilled.

Einstein and success

I was having lunch with a friend yesterday (Wednesday) noon. I happened to mention that I was going out of town next week - it's the only week between now and December 15 that I can travel. Too much going on in the orchestra business. She wanted to know where I was going and with whom. I told her she didn't need to know but that it was business, not pleasure, and she was not offended. She knows how blunt I can be - besides, she likes me way too much to be offended. Anyway, I told her I would explain with a quote from Einstein. He said the secrets of success were three - imagination, work, and keep your mouth shut. I think it's good advice.