Since the Intramuralist’s invitation to speak at commencement has yet to arrive, allow me to humbly submit the following: what I would say to the class of 2014…
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations! Way to go! Each of you has earned this moment in time. Graduation is one accomplishment that is fully yours. No one can take this from you. To graduate, you have had to dig deep, find and apply some measure of commitment, discipline, effort, and integrity. No one else did this for you. Well done, my friends… well done.
From this day forward, life will be different. It’s not some big bad, scary world out there, but it will be different. Not everything will happen as you expect. Keep your eyes open. Observe. Learn equally from both the manifest wisdom and foolishness around you. Make no mistake; both will be widely apparent. But understand it is the perceived fool who learns from his mistakes that often evolves into the wisest among us.
Don’t think you have life all figured out. Perhaps 20/30 some years from now, when you sit in a similar audience, watching your beloved brood proceed with their own pomp and circumstance, remember there is still more to discern. If we ever arrive at the moment when we believe we have life all figured out, our innocence has been usurped by arrogance; our listening has become lesser; and our one-time, embraced humility has dissipated into life’s greatest obstacle to learning.
Yes, stay humble. I can’t say that enough. One of life’s greatest mysteries to me is how humility seems valued most by the ordinary — the lesser known, the least famous, and the servant more than celebrity. There seems strong temptation to allow notoriety and success to pierce the awareness of humility’s beauty. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Value others above yourself. That in no way equates to any suppression or low self-esteem. Humility is simply the key to honor. We are called to love and honor our brothers and sisters; we cannot honor another well if arrogance permeates our soul.
In your efforts to honor others, don’t lose sight of sound judgment. Some will pounce upon the proverbial placard, saying, “don’t judge, lest you be judged.” Such is true in the sense that it’s not our job to be the convictor of conscience nor the deemer of consequence. However, refraining from judgment does not mean ignoring what’s right and wrong in this world. There is right; there is wrong. Know the difference, and learn from both.
Also, don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. If you fall down, get back up. If you fail, grow from it; try again. Remember you have much to both teach and learn — to those who’ve gone before — and to those who will follow. You will teach and learn from both.
The reality is, friends, I actually have much to say. I will not say it all, however, because part of life’s greatest growth comes as we learn from our individual journey and adventure. Enjoy it! Take it all in. But be careful, too, not to equate your individual experience as truth for all others.
A few more random thoughts before I close… Have fun. Floss. Be sure to make your bed sometimes. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don’t equate social media with conversation nor texts for writing letters. Be honest. Work hard. Get to know people. Don’t chew gum in Singapore. Surround yourself with wise people. Commit. Pray. Never look down upon another. Accept both criticism and praise. Embrace accountability. Be gracious. Resist entitlement. Help others. Celebrate the success of those around you. Don’t squash dissent. Be unselfish. Be joyful. Recognize that happiness and joy aren’t the same thing. Refrain from hypocrisy. Give. Dance. Dance some more…. maybe even to 80’s songs. Never be afraid to say “I love you” or “forgive me” first. Say it often. Seek God first. Figure the faith thing out. Respect all others. And above all, guard your heart, as everything you do will flow from it.
Go forth, my friends, with hope, joy, and great expectation. And congratulations… you are blessed.
Respectfully…
AR