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- D15 // My Grandfather from Rural Arkansas Taught Me Some of My Life’s Most Valuable Lessons
D15 // My Grandfather from Rural Arkansas Taught Me Some of My Life’s Most Valuable Lessons
They Are Fundamental Perspectives for a Better Society
Marcus Huels
June 19, 2024
Dawn over the Arkansan Ozark Mountains.
In the spring of 2023, the last of my grandparents, my Grandpa Jimmie, passed away.
Even though he had very little formal education—only having attended school up to the fifth grade—he was an avid reader and an exceptionally industrious man with many passions.
While I am sure that many of us can say that our family has taught us invaluable lessons, Grandpa Jimmie taught me so many things in the over 30 years that I knew him.
Two lessons in particular have resonated with me, and I find myself regularly reminded of these lessons no matter where I might be living or traveling.
1. Formal Education is Not a Limiter to Your Success
As Mark Twain so aptly stated, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” While my Grandpa Jimmie had very little formal education, he was a testament to the power of self-education and passion for learning.
Even knowing this, I regularly find myself falling into the education-evaluation trap: praising formal education as the prime gateway to knowledge. But I always try to be aware to catch myself when I get caught up in this thinking.
In the most recent edition of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Sean Covey describes that in his role as an executive, while he previously focused on information like GPA or the school an applicant attended, experience has shown him that some of the most successful candidates are those who can get along with other people and exercise grit.
2. The Powerful Skill of Being Able to Talk to Anyone
If there’s one trait that I will always remember my Grandpa Jimmie for, it was his limitless skill for being able to talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time. No matter where he was, he always had this skill for being able to connect with people through story, building a conversation from seemingly nothing.
My Grandpa Jimmie's life left an indelible mark on me.
His example reminds me that formal education is not the only path to success, and that true learning and connection come from curiosity, passion, and the ability to relate to others.
When I find myself falling into the trap of valuing credentials over character, I am reminded that a well-lived and successful life is not solely measured by academic achievements but by one's ability to learn continuously, be resourceful, and connect genuinely with others in a way that makes them feel comfortable.
His lessons are fundamental perspectives for a better society, one that values the richness of diverse experiences and the power of human connection.
I hope these reflections inspire you to value the lessons learned outside of formal education and to cherish the connections you make with those around you. If these stories resonate with you, I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.