“Be The Change”
I never gave a commencement speech. I wasn’t the Valedictorian or the Salutatorian in high school, and I’m glad I wasn’t. At that point in my life I was only concerned with two things – hooking up with parties and girls, preferably at the same time. I had limited “life experience” and very little wisdom to share with my classmates. What did I know! Now that I’ve made a few mistakes, learned from my mistakes, and taken the time to understand and grow from my experience I feel the time has come to give a commencement speech that might actually be worth listening to. If it sounds like a sermon, I apologize, but I did recently become an ordained monastery minister with the
“To the Class of 2008 - high school, middle school, and kindergarten graduates. As you move on from one school to another, or into “the real world”, I want you to remember just one thing – you, and only you, can be the change that you want to see in the world. Nobody is going to do it for you. As the great Bill Murry said in classic movie “Caddyshack” – “Be the Ball”. Think about that for a moment while I ramble on...
For the high school graduates – whether you are going to college or starting a career, the hard work is just beginning. Now that you’re all grown-up and you finally know everything, nobody is going to remind you to do your homework or put in the overtime to be recognized as a standout employee. How hard you work at your studies or your job will determine your future opportunities. It is that simple – the effort you put in determines the results, plain and simple. You are the motor and the transmission for your life. Sit on the couch all day waiting for someone else to do something for you and you’ll get lapped in no time. Don’t get me wrong, you also need to get out and play, see the world (or at least
For the middle school graduates – get ready to rumble! If you thought the pecking order in middle school was rough, just wait until you start your first day of high school and discover that you are the lowest of the low. Don’t panic! Rent a copy of “The Breakfast Club” over the summer and all will be revealed to you. Be true to yourself and you’ll make friends faster that you know. Better yet, make a difference by helping someone else more nervous than you about entering high school and you’ll have a friend for life. Just don’t hit on the girlfriend of the captain of the football team… that’ll hurt you every time, trust me.
For kindergarten graduates – you have it easy. You still have a long way to go (probably a few years at least) before mom and dad kick your butt out of the house. Milk it!! Enjoy every day that you go to the fridge and it is stocked with food that you didn’t have to pay for. Thank your lucky stars for every trip to Chunky-E-Cheese that you don’t have to shell out big bucks to fill the gas tank. If you keep your room clean and don’t forget to help around the house you will be golden for the next few years… until you discover that you know more than your parents and tell them so in a furious rage over which way the sun rotates around the earth. You too can make a change – stop being a sullen little brat and thank god that you have people in your life that love you for who you are.
As I was saying, you are the change. Want to be start your own property management company, start one, it doesn’t cost a dime and you have nothing (literally) to lose. Want so see better recycling services in your county, call your Commissioners and tell them what you think. Think you have what it takes to play varsity football, basketball, or oboe? Go out for the team and see what happens. Ready to move-up from “Goodnight Moon” to “Hop on Pop”, grab a different book from the library the next time you’re there. It is all up to you!
It was Gandhi, not me, that first said “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Even if your world is just between Black Hawk and Ward, it is still possible to make a change, any change, and live your life without any excuses. Now go do it!!!
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