Today, December 5th, was witness to a National Day of Mourning as the people of the United States and dignitaries from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C. to pay final tribute to the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush. The passing away of the former leader on November 30th triggered a flood of remembrances from every corner of the world.
Bush, a naval aviator during World War II, flew 58 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. In September 1944, while flying his Avenger bomber in an attack on a Japanese naval base at Chichi-jima, his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Bush survived by ejecting from his plane while one of his crew members went down with the plane and another died when his parachute failed to open. Bush would later ponder why his life was spared and spent the remainder of his days in service to others.
In December 2009, Bush sent a letter to the CEO of IBM, Sam Palmisano, with a list of guiding principles for life. While these were intended for young people, they apply to individuals of any age. Some of these tenets are eerily reminiscent of those written by another famous soldier – General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson – who began recording his own axioms for how to live a moral life in a journal begun in 1848.
Here is the complete list of Bush’s words of wisdom from the 2009 letter. In this age of divisiveness between Americans of all classifications, the words of 41 may provide the strongest points of light in leading us to a form a stronger national unity.
1. Don’t get down when your life takes a bad turn. Out of adversity comes challenge and often success.
2. Don’t blame others for your setbacks.
3. When things go well, always give credit to others.
4. Don’t talk all the time. Listen to your friends and mentors and learn from them.
5. Don’t brag about yourself. Let others point out your virtues, your strong points.
6. Give someone else a hand. When a friend is hurting show that friend you care.
7. Nobody likes an overbearing big shot.
8. As you succeed be kind to people. Thank those who help you along the way.
9. Don’t be afraid to shed a tear when your heart is broken because a friend is hurting.
10. Say your prayers!!
