"Enter to learn. Leave to serve." Those words etched above the doors of a Catholic school my friend Angie Hanks once attended carried the weight of generations before her. Simple, yet profound, they offer a directive for life itself: seek knowledge not just for personal gain, but for the greater good. Every day, she would walk beneath that inscription, a silent but unwavering reminder of what education—and life—are truly about.
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It’s a sentiment that echoes through time, from the teachings of Confucius to the ideals captured in films like Dead Poets Society, where Robin Williams, playing the role of Mr. Keating, urges his students to seize the day—“Carpe Diem”—not for selfish ambition, but to make their lives extraordinary in service to others. As Keating says, “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.”
Learning as a Lifelong Journey
That phrase, "Enter to learn. Leave to serve," speaks volumes about the cyclical nature of learning and service. We enter the world as students, eager to absorb, to question, to challenge. But the true test of our knowledge comes in how we apply it to uplift others. Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” But Mandela didn’t just advocate for intellectual growth—he championed education as a tool for service, for transforming not only our own lives but the lives of those around us.
It’s a philosophy that transcends religious or cultural boundaries. In the Bible, we see the same call to serve in Matthew 23:11: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” This idea—that knowledge and leadership are intertwined with service—challenges us to think beyond personal success, urging us to ask: How am I using what I’ve learned to make the world better?
Movies like The Pursuit of Happyness remind us of this lesson as well. Will Smith, portraying Chris Gardner, teaches his son the importance of perseverance, but it’s not just to survive; it’s to thrive so you can give back. Gardner says, “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.” It’s a message of empowerment, not just for the individual, but for the community we’re all a part of.
The Call to Serve
To “leave to serve” means to understand that the knowledge and skills we acquire have a purpose beyond ourselves. The American Psychological Association (APA) often discusses the impact of altruism on mental health. Research shows that serving others increases feelings of happiness, lowers stress levels, and even improves physical health. In fact, helping others can activate the brain’s reward center, releasing oxytocin—the “love hormone”—which boosts overall well-being.
The American Medical Association (AMA) echoes these sentiments, encouraging individuals to engage in acts of service not just for the benefit of others, but as a vital aspect of self-care. Giving back, whether through mentorship, volunteer work, or even small acts of kindness, creates a ripple effect—improving both the giver’s and the receiver’s quality of life.
But here’s the thing: service doesn’t always look like grand gestures or huge philanthropic efforts. Often, it’s the small, everyday moments where we choose to step outside of ourselves, whether it’s offering a listening ear, sharing a resource, or simply being present for someone in need. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
The Modern Twist: Serving in a Digital World
In today’s hyperconnected world, service has taken on new forms. Technology has expanded our ability to serve across borders, time zones, and cultures. Think of global movements sparked on social media—#MeToo, Black Lives Matter, or environmental causes like Greta Thunberg’s climate activism. These are powerful reminders that service isn’t bound by physical space anymore; it’s digital, it’s instantaneous, and it’s incredibly impactful.
But just as technology expands our capacity to serve, it also raises the bar. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages us to be mindful of how we use technology. Rather than becoming passive consumers, they suggest that we should harness the tools at our disposal to contribute meaningfully to society. This is a new era of service, where our words, ideas, and actions can touch lives globally with a single post or video.
Even celebrities today recognize this power. Zendaya, in an interview about her role as a UN Ambassador, said, “There’s a responsibility that comes with having this kind of platform. It’s about more than just doing the work you love—it’s about using what you’ve been given to make a difference.” In her words, we hear the echoes of "Enter to learn. Leave to serve." It’s not just about achieving fame or fortune; it’s about what you do with it once you get there.
The Future of Learning and Serving
As we look to the future, the need for this kind of service-driven mindset is more critical than ever. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” In an increasingly globalized world facing issues like climate change, inequality, and social justice, the call to “leave to serve” has never been more urgent.
Yet, the challenge isn’t just external. As we navigate our own personal struggles—whether it’s battling self-doubt, facing career challenges, or dealing with life’s unpredictability—service can also be a way to heal ourselves. The Dalai Lama teaches that “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
You Are Called to Serve
So, next time you’re learning something new—whether in a classroom, from a mentor, or even through life’s inevitable ups and downs—remember that it’s not just for you. It’s for the world. You may not see the inscription above the doors as you enter and exit each day, but the message is the same: you are here to learn, and you are here to serve.
And as J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in The Lord of the Rings: “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” So whether you’re the next great thought leader or someone quietly making a difference in your corner of the world, your service matters. And the world needs you—now more than ever.
Trained as an economist, Renwick Brutus emigrated to the United States as a young man, earned his MBA at Fordham University and spent the following decade working on Wall Street where he was widely acknowledged for his contributions in the financial services industry. Now operating between Michigan, Florida and Hawaii, Renwick owns multiple companies, consults with an impressive list of client organizations, utilizing a unique blend of business strategy and wisdom to help individuals prosper and companies grow. You may reach him here.
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