×

Sage ‘advice’ for this year’s graduates

It’s early June and a young man’s (and young woman’s) mind turns to graduation. I remember my high school graduation as if it happened more than 35 years ago. That’s right, I don’t remember it all that well. The one thing I do remember is that since my dad was superintendent I was able to receive my diploma from him. Not everyone gets to receive their diploma from a family member, so that made the day special.

I don’t remember the speeches and it’s likely most people a few years removed from graduation don’t remember the speeches either. I’m sure as time moves on this year’s speeches will be forgotten by most as well. But, we shouldn’t ignore them because they are relevant and meaningful to the moment.

I’m not giving a graduation speech this year (or any year for that matter), but if I were I’d probably include the following “advice” to this year’s graduates. And I’m sure that like the speeches more than 35 years ago, these too will be forgot — probably a whole lot sooner.

So, graduates:

Aim for the stars but don’t be surprised if you only reach the moon. Don’t let that stop you, keep aiming high because you don’t accomplish anything without a little effort, and the bigger the dream the harder the work (remember, if it was supposed to be easy it would be called “easy” not “work”). Again, don’t let that stop you, you’re young and, hopefully, hungry so you can work harder.

Some of you will look back at your high school years with fondness while others will want to run as far from them as you can. Remember this, the last four years helped to shape who you are and will influence who you will become whether you liked high school or not. The decision is yours on how you use these experiences. Make the most of the experiences and carve out a path for yourself; enjoy the journey and be prepared for the bumps in the road.

I know there are some of you who already know what you want to do with the rest of their lives. I applaud you. Others have a general idea of what you want to do, and the rest are somewhere between hoping to do something and not having a clue — that’s not uncommon nor a bad thing. You have time to figure it out.

Some people don’t come into what they are supposed to do until later in life. The key is to just keep searching. Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until she was in her 70s. You don’t know who Grandma Moses is? Be thankful you live in this era you do so you can Google her instead of having to find an encyclopedia (and then try and figure out if she’s listed under G or M, and hope that particular book is still there).

Do right by others. No one can do it alone, and if you treat others well they in turn will treat you well. While ultimately you are responsible first for the man or woman in the mirror, you still need others to make you a better person. And that is the goal, to be the best person you can be.

Be a person of your word. A person is only as good as their word, so be honest, straightforward and if you say you will do something, do it. Also be kind, polite and nice — and always remember to say “please” and “thank you.”

Always stand up for your convictions and don’t let others push around. However, also keep an open mind and remember that you don’t know it all and there might be not only a different way but a better way to do something. See, life is complex and a bit paradoxical as well.

Embrace other ideas and never lose sight of your ideals.

Do something greater than yourself and make a difference in your community wherever you wind up living. Find something that you are passionate about and help make it better. The more people get involved, the better the community. A community is only as strong as its weakest link, so help strengthen those links.

Never forget where you came from. Northeast Michigan is a great place to live, and even if you move to lands far away this place will stay with you the rest of your life. Remember it fondly.

Finally, as you sit in those chairs waiting to receive your diploma (and in some cases chomping at the bit to leave school in your rearview mirror), turn to the person on each side of you and wish them luck. You never know when you might need them down the road.

Life’s a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy it and I hope you find your bliss.

Steve Murch can be reached via email at smurch@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5686. Follow Steve on Twitter @sm_alpenanews.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today