Life is What You Make It

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending an event where I unconsciously had a smile on my face most of the evening. This wasn't the cocktail event 'say Cheese-Whiz' smile (Stacy's term for when you're in a certain situation and you need to keep that smile on your face for appearances no matter what crazy thing someone might be saying); this was the smile that happens unconsciously when you're in the moment, and don't even realize you are smiling.

This smile-on-the-inside happens most with me when I'm around family and close friends that I love. Last night I had that same smile when I had the realization of being in the right place at the right time, in the company of humility and truth, and lives well lived.

I went to book launch event for "Life is What You Make It", a book written by Peter Buffet (Warren Buffet's son), and a Q&A hosted by Tom Brokaw, the highly respected journalist and author - a true 'news man' . (My friend Greta loves Tom Brokaw so much that she used to tape the news, even though I accused her of being 60 years old). The event benefited the Robin Hood Foundation, a truly heroic organization that both men are strong supporters of.

Peter Buffet discussed what it was like to grow up as Warren Buffet's son: the very solid Midwestern values, wisdom instilled in him of a work ethic not wealth ethic, the restraint of a privileged background and the caring parental support behind the belief of 'do what you love'.

Famously, his father had very strong opinions on the subject of inherited wealth: "...He believes that the silver spoon in the mouth too often becomes the silver dagger in the back -- an ill considered gift that saps ambition and drains motivation, that deprives a young person of the great adventure of finding his or her way. My father had the enormous satisfaction of discovering his own passion and making his own mark; why should his kids be denied that challenge and that pleasure?"

When Peter and each of his siblings turned 19, they were given modest sums of money to 'take some time, figure out what it is you love'. They also had the clear understanding that they should expect no more. "There is a famous quotation from the Book of Luke that was taken very seriously in our family: 'From those to whom much is given, much is expected.' And it was made very clear that the most important gifts of all had nothing to do with money. They were the gifts of parental love and close community and warm friendship, of inspiring teachers and mentors who took delight in our development. There were the mysterious gifts of talent and competence, capacity for empathy and hard work. These gifts were meant to be respected and repaid..."

Also famously, while Warren Buffet has given away the bulk of his fortune -- $37 billion dollars -- to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he also set up charitable endowments for each of his children to manage. So while Peter Buffet has the enormous responsibility of a billion dollars to give away, he is making his own way in life, doing what he loves (a musician and composer), with enormous satisfaction.

Tom Brokaw, whom the term 'trusted news source' was invented for, commented that you can '"take an X-Ray to this family"; essentially what you see is what you get.

The smile remained on my face as my friend and I waited in line to have a book signed for myself, and my own father. I can't wait to read this book.