I'm coming off a "cluster reunion" this past weekend at my alma mater, dear old Macalester College in St. Paul. And quite a cluster it was! Three different class years all put together in the same place. And quite a group of very "accomplished" people! Yikes--I felt like a total schlub. One of my classmates has given $2 million to the college. Another was governor of Wisconsin a few years ago. Another owns a portion of the horse that placed 3rd in this year's Kentucky Derby. Another (my first debate partner in college) is a high-profile D.C. lobbyist who just gave $2500 to the college and spreads thousands of other dollars around for various political causes and campaigns. Suffice it to say that I wasn't in line for any "Most Likely to Succeed" awards!
At times like these, we are forced to examine our own life and take in some basic principles of Buddhist philosophy. Fight off the envy, my man! Be at peace with what you have! Do not find contentment in material goods! Strive for inner goodness! And, find SOMEBODY who you feel at least a little superior to! (There were a couple such people at this event, but it would be pointless and tacky to say anything more.) But, best of all, appreciate that you are still around to attend these events; I regret to say that I can think of several people out of that era who didn't even live close to long enough to celebrate such a milestone.
