|
Theresa's Tidbits: Graduation is a time of reflection
Theresa Seraphim
for Spotlight
We’re at this time of
year again, when young
adults finish high
school or post-secondary
education and are
leashed upon the world
(got life insurance, everyone?).
Years of effort
have finally paid off in a
piece of paper that
says, “Now I’m qualified
to ask if you want
fries with that.”
But seriously, although
the graduates
will be challenged in
this tough economy,
with hard work and determination
they can do
well – even in hard
times.
The parents know
this. They look at their
son or daughter walking
on stage and reflect
on the time and effort
put in. They realize that
all those sleepless
nights spent cramming
for exams or finishing
an assignment, were
worth it.
Here is a
once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment
and everyone
is proud of it, as
they should be.
Is there anything that
can be said at such a
time that hasn’t been
said before? Not really.
Each year, each class
hears the same message:
“You’ve all done
well, good luck, you’ll go
far, reach for the stars”,
etc. etc. etc.
But each class hears
the message from a different
speaker, and by
the time the next graduation
rolls around, the
next class will be reminded
of it. That doesn’t
make it any less relevant
and special; indeed,
it’s good to reflect
on the accomplishments
and on overcoming
the challenges
ahead.
Oprah Winfrey put all
this succinctly when
she delivered the 1997
commencement address
at Wellesley College.
Winfrey shared several
things she has
learned that have that
have made her life’s
journey exciting:
First of all, she said,
life is a journey. “It really
is just about everyday
experiences, teaching
you, moment in, moment
out, who you really
are,” she said.
Winfrey also advised
grads to turn their
wounds into wisdom.
“You will be wounded
many times in your life.
You’ll make mistakes.
Some people will call
them failures but I have
learned that failure is
really God’s way of saying,
‘Excuse me, you’re
moving in the wrong direction.’
It’s just an experience,
just an experience,”
she said.
Gratitude is also important.
“If you concentrate
and focus in your
life on what you don’t
have, you will never
have enough,” Winfrey
told the grads.
Good words to ponder
that this time of year,
when young people are
unleashed upon the
world – which, because
of their talents and perseverance
and caring,
will, thankfully, never be
the same.
Congratulations,
graduates!
< Previous
Home
Next >
|
