Graduation
is an exciting time. All but a sliver of your life still awaits you.
I
believe I met that thought with equal parts exhilaration and terror on my own
graduation day.
And
people are chock full of advice for graduates, advice that will largely fall on
deaf ears, as maybe it should, because we all must forge our own paths and gain
at least some of our wisdom through life experience.
When
we’re graduating, we don’t yet know what we don’t know, and maybe that’s a
blessing so we won’t get hung up on what’s feasible, or practical, or rational,
even. But I’m getting ahead of myself here.
The
commencement speech at Northwestern University in 1987, the year I graduated,
was given by the former University Chaplain, James Avery, and while you would
think that that is not as sexy as, say, a celebrity of any sort, Reverend Avery
did not need any accompanying paparazzi to send a message that stayed with me
every day of my life since.
It
was simple. He said, “What you do from this day on, matters.”
That
weighed heavily on my young psyche. It informed my life decisions. And it still
does.
What
I wish I could tell both my younger self as well as our current crop of
graduates is not quite as succinct…
Learn
to love yourself sooner, rather than later. Dare greatly. Now. And forever. Risk
fearlessly. And if you can’t risk fearlessly, then risk fearfully, but take a
risk. And when you’re betting, always bet on yourself.
If
you are ever going to be “carefree,” now is the time. So explore the vast wonder
of the world. And while you’re at it, explore the vast wonder of your own soul.
Dare to know yourself at the depths of your being, and be vulnerable and brave
enough to share who you are. That is and will always be your greatest gift and
the way you connect with other souls along this journey called life.
Practice
kindness, even when you’re in traffic. And laugh every day, as much as you can.
Be
patient with both little children and the elderly. You were once the former,
and if you’re lucky, you’ll live long enough to be the latter.
Be
bold, particularly in your vision for your life. Think big and work toward it
every day.
Celebrate
every single thing there is to celebrate along the way. Milestones, big and
small. Take the time. Rejoice. And don’t forget to celebrate others’
accomplishments, too.
Know
that you are part of something bigger than yourself, and that this world is in
need of exactly what you have to contribute.
Whatever
paths you choose, and whichever roads you walk down, if you’re unhappy, change
direction. You’re allowed to do that.
