Letter from the godfather
What is the best government?–That which teaches us to govern ourselves.
–Goethe
Recently, a dear friend I went to graduate school with many years ago reconnected with me and reminded me that I was her son’s godfather. When I last saw him he was just a little toddler, but now he is a tall, strong, good-looking young man; a college freshman at a school in Indiana. I thought to myself: What could I do for him at this point in his life? Isn’t the die cast, his destiny fixed?
On Nov. 17, I wrote my godson this message:
Hello, Godson,
Thanks for sending me your e-mail. How’s school going? I hope that you are getting adjusted to campus life well. Are you living in a dorm? I remember about 20 years ago going to your school when I was a grad student at Harvard to do some recruiting. I remember the students being very nice to me there.
Well, keep in touch, and let me know if I can ever be of help to you in your classes, particularly history, politics and philosophy. Those are my strong areas.
Tell your mother, “Hello!”
Peace,
Ellis
My godson is a fabulous and conscientious young man. I believe that he can become successful in any endeavor he chooses; yet at 18, he realizes that to be successful in anything, you need a plan, a blueprint, if you will, that will systematically guide you through all the trials, tribulations and challenges of life.
My godson sent me this reply the following day, Nov. 18:
Well, school is going pretty well. I’m still getting used to the work load and prioritizing that are essential to success. I’m having trouble disciplining myself to do what needs to be done in a timely fashion. I have a list of goals I want to accomplish, but I am clueless as to how to pursue the goals. When I sit down and attempt to map it out, I often end up vexed. Can you give me some tips that you used to discipline yourself and prioritize?
–Godson
Here are my six suggestions I sent my godson to help him better prioritize his college studies, but more importantly, to more effectively prioritize his life:
Hello, Godson,
I thought long and hard about your questions to me. Here are a few things you should consider to help you not only with college … but with LIFE:
- Put God first in all things. Before I stated school, I remember going through the neighborhood to find a good church. I found one and those wonderful people provided the spiritual foundation for me to be successful not only in college, but to make better life choices.When I went to college in autumn of 1980, I set out walking around campus, observing people, finding out all the important buildings. I remember discovering where the local church was in town and made Sunday school, church and Bible study my weekly rituals.
I knew that education without a strong spiritual foundation would only make me an educated, amoral fool.
- Major in the minors and minor in the majors. In other words, take care of big things first (college, spirituality) and put little things (i.e., friends, hanging out, partying, etc.) as secondary issues. Work hard and play hard, but never mix the two.I can’t tell you how many of my friends started off good in college only to be sidelined by the first or second semester because they didn’t know (or refused to) prioritize things; they foolishly mixed business (college) with pleasure (being popular and partying).
- If you are having trouble in a class, set up times to speak with your professors to find out the areas you need help in. Don’t be shy. You are paying these people a lot of money to help you, and you have every right to use all of the university facilities (including tutors) to help your college experience be beneficial and successful to you.The few years I taught as a professor I was always most impressed not with the smartest students in my class, but those who may have started off a step or two slower, but set aside their pride to regularly see me during office hours. Over time those students, through dogged, assiduous work, eventually became my best students.
- Become well acquainted with the library. I used to shut that place down all the time. Let books and leaning become your closest friends (for now). Ninety-nine percent of those people you’re with in college now you won’t be in touch with 10 years from now.The famous saying, When in Rome do as the Romans do, can, if observed, yield good things at college. If an analogy can be made of college as a church, then its inner temple of learning is the library. Learn about every nook and cranny of that place and you will be successful in college.
- Keep girls at arm’s length. Remember – one mistake, a few seconds of pleasure, can mess up your entire college career and the rest of your life.For further information on this point see the ongoing tragic saga of golfer Tiger Woods.
- Try new things; meet new people you normally wouldn’t be associated with. Go to the symphony, the opera and the museum, to intellectual and conservative political events. Stretch your mind, develop a comprehensive worldview and philosophy – and discover that man deep inside your heart who has been waiting to come out so that you can fulfill your God-ordained destiny.
My WorldNetDaily articles can help you apply Nos. 1-6 if you take the time to read and study my ideas. Start with “Why I became a conservative” and “Safire, Kristol and ‘The Spook Who Sat by the Door.’”
My dear godson, enjoy these care-free years in college. They will be some of the fondest memories of your life.
Keep me posted on your progress, godson. I believe in you!
Peace,
Your godfather
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