Panache Blog

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

My Thoughts for Graduates

This month more than 3.2 million high school seniors dawn caps and gowns taking part in graduation ceremonies across this country. For our family, this past weekend marked that milestone in our lives. I watched our 19-year-old son, Sam, walk up the aisle along with 37 classmates to the traditional strains of Pomp and Circumstance. My wife Jan was overcome with emotion and her tears flowed nonstop. As she watched with deep pride and overwhelming love, she was revisiting each step along his path; curious toddlerhood, lost teeth, scraped knees, Christmas mornings, summer camps and college decisions. From our seats in the fourth row I held her hand tightly coaching her to breathe into the emotion. As she looked back, I couldn’t help but look ahead on behalf of this young man and imagine the vast opportunities that rest on his horizon, contemplating the possibilities for all he might be as he continues to grow. 

It is with these loving thoughts and now the shared experience of having a graduate that I offer my insights for your sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters as they prepare to begin the next chapter of their amazing lives.

Please tell them:

• You are perfect exactly as you are – right now - in this moment. You weren’t made from spare parts or outsourced, cheap goods. Seeds of greatness exist within your being and you already possess all that you need to succeed in life. 

• Find your passion in life and allow your light to shine forth. Your passion is not your mother’s or father’s choice. It is not a legacy genetically passed through to you like your hair or eye color. It may not come packaged in a traditional job setting, or a typical path. Blaze your own trail and dare to be different. Take the time to explore all the possibilities and find what lights you up – what motivates you to jump out of bed every morning. It is then that your light shines most brightly and you are able to fully live within your highest potential.
 
• Play at life because life is a game! Regardless of where the job market takes you, know that it is not what you are doing – it is who you are being. And when you bring a sense of joy and enthusiasm to even the most menial of tasks – each moment becomes an opportunity to shine. Play at what you love, with all of you heartfelt enthusiasm, and success will follow.

• Your choices have consequences. Just like a pebble ripples when thrown into a still pond, your choices and actions reverberate throughout consciousness. Choose with your heart and let love be the driving principle in your life. Always treat others as you wish to be treated.

• You can never be fully prepared for what life has in store. Yours is a magnificent experience waiting to unfold. You cannot begin to contemplate the twists and turns along the way. There will be moment of exquisite bliss and instants of excruciating grief. One is not better than the other. It is simply life. And, you are always held within the grace and love of a greater presence. Move through life with confidence knowing that the Divine will place you in situations where you can grow into your ability to love and hold space for others. This is why you are here.

I never imagined that I would be a step father, let alone have the honor of ushering a talented young man onto a greater world. Sam is one of my greatest teachers. The time that we have shared together will forever be engrained in my heart. His growth has been my growth and I am grateful for the opportunity to watch him flower into the man he is today. I cannot wait to experience where his journey takes him.

I love you Sam and am honored that the Divine placed me in your life. May you always be surrounded by love and soar into greater depths of acceptance. Know that even though you may be leaving home, you will always live in my heart.

Posted at 11:12 am  |  Send to a Friend