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Since the Intramuralist\u2019s invitation to speak at commencement has yet to arrive, allow me to humbly submit the following:\u00a0 what I would say to the class of 2014…<\/p>\nSince the Intramuralist\u2019s invitation to speak at commencement has yet to arrive, allow me to humbly submit the following:\u00a0 what I would say to the class of 2014…<\/p>\n
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Dear Graduates,<\/i><\/p>\n
Congratulations!\u00a0 Way to go!\u00a0 Each of you has earned this moment in time.\u00a0 Graduation is one accomplishment that is fully yours.\u00a0 No one can take this from you.\u00a0 To graduate, you have had to dig deep, find and apply some measure of commitment, discipline, effort, and integrity.\u00a0 No one else did this for you.\u00a0 Well done, my friends…\u00a0 well done.<\/i><\/p>\n
From this day forward, life will be different.\u00a0 It\u2019s not some big bad, scary world out there, but it will be different.\u00a0 Not everything will happen as you expect.\u00a0 Keep your eyes open.\u00a0 Observe.\u00a0 Learn equally from both the manifest wisdom and foolishness around you.\u00a0 Make no mistake; both will be widely apparent.\u00a0 But understand it is the perceived fool who learns from his mistakes that often evolves into the wisest among us.<\/i><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t think you have life all figured out.\u00a0 Perhaps 20\/30 some years from now, whe<\/i>n you sit in a similar audience, watching your beloved brood proceed with their own pomp and circumstance, remember there is still more to discern.\u00a0 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\u2019s greatest obstacle to learning.<\/i><\/p>\n
Yes, stay humble.\u00a0 I can\u2019t say that enough.\u00a0 One of life\u2019s greatest mysteries to me is how humility seems valued most by the ordinary — the lesser known,\u00a0<\/i>the least famous, and the servant more than celebrity.\u00a0 There seems strong temptation to allow notoriety and success to pierce the awareness of humility\u2019s beauty.\u00a0 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.\u00a0 Value others above yourself.\u00a0 That in no way equates to any suppression or low self-este<\/i>em.\u00a0 Humility is simply the key to honor.\u00a0 We are called to love and honor our brothers and sisters; we cannot honor another well if arrogance permeates our soul.<\/i><\/p>\n
In your efforts to honor others, don\u2019t lose sight of sound judgment.\u00a0 Some will pounce upon the proverbial placard, saying, \u201cdon\u2019t judge, lest you be judged.\u201d\u00a0 Such is true in the sense that it\u2019s not our job to be the convictor of conscienc<\/i>e nor the deemer of consequence.\u00a0 However, refraining from judgment does not mean ignoring what\u2019s right and wrong in this world.\u00a0 There is right; there is wrong.\u00a0 Know the difference, and learn from both.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t let anyone look down on you because you are young.\u00a0 Be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.\u00a0 If you fall down, get back up.\u00a0 If you fail, grow from it; try again.\u00a0 Remember you have much to both teach\u00a0<\/i>and learn — to those who\u2019ve gone before — and to those who will follow.\u00a0 You will teach and learn from both.<\/i><\/p>\n
The reality is, friends, I actually have much to say.\u00a0 I will not say it all, however,\u00a0 because part of life\u2019s greatest growth comes as \u00a0we learn from our individual journey and adventure.\u00a0 Enjoy it!\u00a0 Take it all in.\u00a0 But be careful, too, not to equate your individual experience as truth for all others.<\/i><\/p>\n
A few more random thoughts before I close…\u00a0 Have fun.\u00a0 Floss.\u00a0 Be sure to make your bed s<\/i>ometimes.\u00a0 Say what you mean and mean what you say.\u00a0 Don\u2019t equate social media with conversation nor texts for writing letters.\u00a0 Be honest.\u00a0 Work hard.\u00a0 Get to know people.\u00a0 Don\u2019t chew gum in Singapore.\u00a0 Surround yourself with wise people.\u00a0 Commit.\u00a0 Pray. \u00a0Never look down upon another.\u00a0 Accept both criticism and praise.\u00a0 Embrace accountability.\u00a0 Be gracious.\u00a0 Resist entitlement.\u00a0 Help others.\u00a0 Celebrate the success of those around you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t squash dissent.\u00a0 Be unselfish.\u00a0 Be joyful.\u00a0 Recognize that happiness and joy aren\u2019t the same thing.\u00a0 Refrain from hypocrisy.\u00a0 Give.\u00a0 Dance.\u00a0 Dance some more…. maybe even to 80\u2019s son<\/i>gs.\u00a0 Never be afraid to say \u201cI love you\u201d or \u201cforgive me\u201d first.\u00a0 Say it often.\u00a0 Seek God first.\u00a0 Figure the faith thing out.\u00a0 Respect all others.\u00a0 And above all, guard your heart, as everything you do will flow from it.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
Go forth, my frie<\/i>nds, with hope, joy, and great expectation.\u00a0 And congratulations… you are blessed.<\/i><\/p>\n
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Respectfully…<\/p>\n
AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Since the Intramuralist\u2019s invitation to speak at commencement has yet to arrive, allow me to humbly submit the following:\u00a0 what I would say to the class of 2014… Dear Graduates, Congratulations!\u00a0 Way to go!\u00a0 Each of you has earned this moment in time.\u00a0 Graduation is one accomplishment that is fully yours.\u00a0 No one can … <\/p>\n