It’s graduation time!\u00a0 In the middle of a pandemic.\u00a0 This is one for the record books.\u00a0 Or scrapbooks.\u00a0 What words of wisdom would you offer to the class of 2020?\u00a0 Be kind.\u00a0 Be yourself.\u00a0 Be compassionate.\u00a0 Be considerate.\u00a0 Don’t sell yourself short.\u00a0 Life is only beginning.<\/p>\n
Gosh, what I would give to go back and give my younger self a little pep talk.<\/p>\n
When I look back on my graduation – whether grade 8, or high school, or even college – the memories fade.<\/p>\n
Grade 8 was not worth remembering.\u00a0 New kid. New school. New town.\u00a0 \u00a0Better forgotten.<\/p>\n
Grade 12 grad.\u00a0 Hmmm.\u00a0 All I remember was it was in the fall.\u00a0 And I was already well into my first semester of college.<\/p>\n
College graduation was quiet.\u00a0 And LONG.\u00a0 It took a long time in a hot gym to go through all the names.\u00a0 I didn’t feel any different.\u00a0 Nobody gave me a car or trip to some exotic location.\u00a0 George Clooney, Oprah – nobody showed up.\u00a0 I don’t remember a big grad speech or anything.<\/p>\n
But I get it.\u00a0 You deserve to be recognized for all that you have accomplished.\u00a0 All that you have worked for.\u00a0 You deserve the ceremony.\u00a0 With the stage and the crowd.\u00a0 Walking across to accept your diploma.\u00a0 You deserve the after party.\u00a0 The pomp.\u00a0 The circumstance.<\/p>\n
I know it looks different.\u00a0 I know you’re disappointed, but even though Class of 2020 – you are missing out on the ceremonies, and after parties – celebrities are stepping up to the plate to share words of encouragement and help you celebrate.<\/p>\n
At an online even this weekend,\u00a0Former First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the graduates.\u00a0 And even though it was intended for those in the United States, I think all of us can take some words of wisdom from her.\u00a0 “What kind of person do you want to be?\u00a0 …..\u00a0 \u00a0 in an uncertain world, time tested values like honesty and integrity, empathy and compassion – that’s the ONLY real currency in life. Treating people right will never ever fail you”<\/p>\n
Worth taking the 17 minutes to watch.<\/p>\n