Last week I delivered a commencement speech to the 2018 Graduating Class of Bell Creek Academy. As I was reading it for final review, I realized that this was NOT just for these graduates, but for everyone and I decided to share it here with you.
Welcome students, friends, family, and faculty. AND congratulations to the graduates of 2018!
When I was asked to do this speech, I was actually a little worried. I’m no one famous, I haven’t invented the cure for cancer, I haven’t broken any scholastic or athletic records and I’m still trying to make an impact on the world I live in. I’m not like any of those people.
And that’s when it hit me. I don’t need to be any of those. I’m different from all of them and that’s a good thing. Often, I think we try SO hard to be like everyone else and we forget who we really are. Being different is good, being different allows you to distinguish yourself from others, being different helps you stand out from the crowd and being different is where your gift lives.
That said, I do have four guiding principle that I live by and they have always served me well. They are KINDNESS, COMPARISON, RELATIONSHIP, and AUTHENTICITY.
I encourage you to look at your new journey and try these on to see if they might be a fit for you.
- KINDNESS- Always be kind. It’s so simple, yet really impactful. Today, it’s really easy to be self absorbed and only consider what’s in it for me. We don’t let people in line in traffic. We don’t hold doors open anymore. We don’t smile as say hello to people we meet daily. What if we did? How many times has a kind word changed your day completely? There have been plenty of times that someone has let me merge in traffic. My attitude after that is always thankfulness and probably a little relief. I’m thankful that someone was actually nice enough to let me in AND I’m relieved that the guy behind me will finally stop creeping up closer and closer to my rear bumper because he’s impatient. When the opposite happens and no one lets me in, I get more irritated, I might mumble some curse words under my breath or loudly and the guy behind me continues to creep closer and closer to my rear bumper which really just makes things even worse. How different of a day will I have now? So please, let if you see, let me in traffic. I have a maroon Durango. Remember- be kind.
- COMPARISON- Comparison can be an ugly and self-destructive thing. AND combine that with social media and it’s even more dangerous. Stop comparing yourself to other people. You will never be them and you shouldn’t want or try to. I started doing CrossFit about 2 years ago and I remember when I first got there, people were lifting WAY more weight than me, getting through their workouts faster than me, and it used to bother me a lot. I’d load up the bar an try SO hard but I couldn’t even budge it in some cases and I’d end up leaving the gym disappointed and feeling defeated. AND the workouts just weren’t effective because I wasn’t using good form or I was trying too hard to keep up. Finally, I realized that the only person I needed to be better than was me. These people had been doing CrossFit way longer than I had and it wasn’t an even comparison. It’s just like that with anything. Your experiences are always going to be different from every one else’s and to compare your self to them would be a disservice to both of you. Always strive to be better than you were yesterday, even if it’s just a little bit. Let that be the bar with which you use to measure your progress, not someone else.
- RELATIONSHIP & CONNECTION- these are two concepts that work together. Have you ever been to a restaurant and seen people sitting together at a table all looking at their phones? That’s not connection; that’s separation. Take that time to be with each other. It’s like sitting together, but alone. I’m half expecting someone to text someone else to pass the salt. Something else I see, too often we are in our own boxes, our own segments whether it be political, religious, beliefs, race, gender and so much more. The one thing we ALL are is human. Strive to be connected with ALL people. The only way we can make a difference is by embracing each other’s differences and creating authentic relationships. You want to be a change agent? Get to know all other people and see all perspectives. You don’t have to agree and it will expand the lens with which you view the world.
- AUTHENTICITY- Always be authentically you. You do not have to fit in anyone else’s mold. God made each and every one of us different for a reason. He knew that we could each bring something different to the planet. Celebrate your uniqueness and see it as your strength. When you try to be something you aren’t, it hurts you and eventually, you’ll be “discovered.” Your beauty and gifts come from your individuality and your mark on the world will be a product of your courage to be truly you.
Almost done…
Here’s my challenge to you. You’re really at the beginning of your journey. You have energy and vision and way more power than you think you do. Each and every one of you can and will make your mark on the world. What it looks like is up to you. Enjoy this milestone, your graduation day. It’s special and important and marks something extraordinary. BUT, don’t get too comfortable, because you all have an impact to make and we’ll be watching.
Sincere congratulations to you all!
