By Mary Ann W. Lewis, FSAVE – President, SAVE International
A few hundred of us shall be heading to Philadelphia in August to celebrate 70 years of the Value Methodology. Philadelphia is the birthplace of American democracy, and a beautiful city. I have the high hope that we shall all enjoy our few days together and learn much from one another. That concept of democracy in action brings me to this week.
I live 11 miles from the White House in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Politics and history have always been fascinating to me and were what brought me to this city after college. This week was a lot of fun for me. My house guest, the president of my high school, and I had the opportunity to tour the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters with another alumna, a high-ranking FBI Special Agent, who delighted us by bringing us in to meet her boss, James Comey, the Director of the FBI – a man many of us have been watching daily on TV. After that exciting conversation and photo-op, the president and I Ubered up to Capitol Hill to meet our Congresswoman, Rosa DeLaura, of New Haven, CT. Other than the name-dropping, what I wanted to convey were their responses to the president’s direct question “What advice would you give to our graduating seniors this June?”
Each of these high-profilers had immediate responses. Director Comey said (in a nutshell) that young people should think to the ends of their lives and look back to ask the question, “How do I want to be remembered?” Hopefully, it’s not all about wealth and status. His hope is that young people will value what’s important – family, friends, honor and kindness. Congresswoman DeLauro’s response was precise and joyful – Take Risks! Don’t be Afraid! I found the combination to be perfect.
As I get to the end of my volunteer work for the value profession, I am thankful to report that the friends I have made in my career, my colleagues and clients, are those risk takers who will be able to look back on their lives and be content that they have great families and friends with whom they have shared respect, kindness and success.
Thank you, All.
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