My partner told me a story today about a guy he knew in high school and recently reconnected with on Facebook. This guy was really nice. He was kind even to people who were not kind to him. He did his best to like even people who did not like him.
He grew up to be an investment lawyer. A very wealthy and successful investment lawyer. He accomplished this not through the kind of reprehensible investment strategies that have so damaged our economy, but through slow, smart investments. Investments that made money for him, his clients, and generally strengthened the economic environment in which he moved.
He leads a full and well-rounded life. He earns a good living. He has a family. He writes and plays music. And he's still a really nice guy.
When my partner reconnected with him, he was welcoming and glad to be back in touch. He sent some of his music. He still speaks to people with kindness, even though he is well out of the economic class of many of his friends. He provides good and thorough investment advice when asked without being superior or dismissive.
He was a good boy who has grown into a good man.
At the end of the story, my partner bowed his head and said, "And this is the guy I ditched in high school because I didn't think he was cool."
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