Hello my wise and curious friend,
It is the season of graduations…ceremonies and celebrations.
Do you remember who spoke and what was said at your high school or college graduation?
Maybe you attended a large university where a well-known speaker presented, but do you remember what they talked about?
Not many people remember who spoke at their most recent graduation, even if it was only yesterday. Decades ago, I graduated from a smaller university (UW-Eau Claire—Go Blugolds!) The speaker was most likely a college dean or maybe a local celebrity. I don’t remember what was said either. My guess is most graduates aren’t focused on the speech because they are too busy wondering things like:
- Are my peeps are in the audience?
- Will my closest friend who’s taken a job hundreds of miles from me still be my bestie?
- Where are we going to eat after the ceremony? 😋
But what if today was a “life graduation” celebration for you?
What if you celebrated the wisdom gained and the milestones you achieved over the past year? What would you celebrate? What inspiring message would you long to hear to challenge or encourage you in the upcoming year?
Here are 3 ideas for planting and 1 question to help you dig into your week ahead…
Wisdom Seeds for YOUR Graduation
Quotes from past graduation speeches:
“You can’t do it alone. Be open to collaboration. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you. Spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life.”
—Amy Poehler
“Remember this: You are awesome. I’m not suggesting you be boastful. No one likes that in men or women. But I am suggesting that believing in yourself is the first necessary step to coming even close to achieving your potential.”
—Sheryl Sandberg
“When you respect the idea that you are sharing the Earth with other humans, and when you lead with your nice foot forward, you’ll win, every time. It might not be today, it might not be tomorrow, but it comes back to you when you need it.”
—Kristen Bell
Graduation Inspiration
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
—E. E. Cummings
Everyone needs a yearly graduation celebration. Yes, this includes YOU!
This might sound like an idea better suited for New Year’s or your birthday, but both days are too often filled with expectations and commitments. They come and go with little time for reflection.
In the spirit of the graduation season, I’m proposing you pick a day in May (maybe even today)—take the day off and write down your accomplishments from this past year. Then, initiate a conversation at your next gathering of friends. Start with the question:
Do you remember who spoke or what was said at your graduation?
Or, perhaps you could arrange a celebration with your greatest supporters. Keep it casual with an emphasis on sharing and honoring the moments you overcame obstacles or reached milestones.
Invite your supporters to share some of their own milestone moments from this past year. Celebrate each other. Celebrate the hard-earned wisdom of the past year. Celebrate the gift of another day together.
What have you got to lose?
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” — Steve Jobs’ 2005 speech at Stanford University
A Note from My Garden of Life
Every year about this time, graduation speeches are shared across social media channels. We can listen to inspiring messages from unknown high school graduates to well-known actors, authors, athletes and politicians.
I recently listened to the 2022 commencement address given by a reluctant speaker at the University of Michigan. The title of the speech is “This Uncertain Moment Is Your Gift.“
The words cut to the heart of these uncertain times. Whether you are 22, 52, 102, or somewhere in between..we ALL experience fear. No matter what our age or our accomplishments, fear finds a way to show up. The question is: How will you respond?
Follow this link to read or watch a thought-provoking speech for your 2022 May graduation.
Take your time. Set aside any distractions (thoughts or devices). Soak in the message. Notice what ideas make your heart beat a bit faster.
Congratulations you are part of life’s 2022 graduating class! You’ve earned your degree and the privilege of working toward an advanced degree throughout the coming year.
I have a challenge for you, a fun exercise for your graduation celebration.
Garden Game Challenge:
Find your own “life graduation” speech. Maybe it’s a motivational speech given outside of a graduation. It might be a collage of inspiring snippets. Find 15-20 minutes to really listen to the words presented. Then, save the link and mark you calendar: one year from now in May 2023. Set a reminder to listen to your graduation speech. Schedule time to mark the occasion alone or with friends, but create this annual habit of celebrating the wisdom and victories of the past year.
Below is the graduation speech I’ve used in the past to remind myself of how far I’ve come. It has also inspired me for the next leg of my journey:
2005 Kenyon College’s commencement address by David Wallace
1 Question to Help You Dig In
What question could you ask of yourself that is so big that only your life can answer it?
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