Pick Yourself Up and Dust Yourself Off

Promise me you'll always remember... you're BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, and SMARTER than you think ~ 
Christopher Robins to Pooh

Kyle's official graduation picture in 2011.

There are so many things to hear during a commencement address.  A commencement speech is typically given by a notable figure in the community, during the commencement exercise.

What an honor to be asked to give a speech at a graduation, but also a great task to find words that resonate to each student.  Will the graduate be able to soak it all in and take what they learned and apply it to the next stage in their life? 

I did a google search speeches and here are just some of the titles I found: We all Breathe the Same Air, What We Wish to Become, Be in the Moment, Find What you Love, Attitude.

One thing I seemed to read over and over in the again in the speeches was something like, go ahead and break the rules.  Although I'm not surprised, it's seems to go against the training we received for 13-17 years.... follow all the rules. Now you are supposed to break free and you should question all things before you.  You have earned that right!

...here is part of what Conan O'Brien said to a graduating class at Harvard...."So, that's what I wish for all of you: the bad as well as the good. Fall down, make a mess, break something occasionally. And remember that the story is never over."

Nora Ephron a well known writer spoke at Wellsley College in 1996 and in her speech she told the graduates, "I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there."

Do

or

Do Not

there is no

Try

~ Yoda

Follow your dreams, it takes courage, learn from yesterday, don't look back, reach for the stars, make mistakes, be the change, breathe,  today is your day, put one foot in front of the other, it is possible.... so much to take in!!!

And if you stumble... make it a part of the dance!

Week #21 - LIFE'S simple pleasures - graduating

Congratulations class of 2013