I’ve often wondered if at some time in my life I would ever be asked to give a commencement speech, and if the well-meaning but unsuspecting school district would ever speak to me again should that happen.
These kinds of things usually happen at the college level, but I’m thinking that since many college campuses are tough to navigate because of Palestinian encampments, I’d rather talk to the escapees of government-mandated education.
I’m waffling, though, because as much as I want to be a Negative Nellie, I also want to be a comedian that drops the occasional truth nugget in between dad-joke level groaners. (I didn’t finish college myself, but I have a Ph.D. in punning.)
I also want to inspire the next batch of newly minted adults both with caution and praise, and in that light, I’ve chosen quotes from both ends of the spectrum, and you can take which ones you think are suitable.
“Remember, when it comes to applying for jobs, books are judged by their cover.” — Patricia Akins
“Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.” — Dolly Parton
“If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they sure can make something out of you.” — Muhammad Ali
“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” — C.S. Lewis
“You will never have more energy or enthusiasm, hair, or brain cells than you have today.” — Tom and Ray Magliozzi
“If you want to be the best, you have to do things other people aren’t willing to do.” — Michael Phelps
“Your families are extremely proud of you. You can’t imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.” — Gary Bolding
“Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.” — Chadwick Boseman
“I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to life than being really, really good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.” — Derek Zoolander
“Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb, mad-dog mean. ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up, then you neither live nor win. That’s just the way it is.” — Josey Wales
“We have such sights to show you.” — Pinhead
“Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here.” — Neil Gaiman
This is the one quote, though, that started me down this path:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” — Arleen Lorrance
I do have a quibble with it, however. To me, the quote implies doing something on a grand scale; I think that doing anything that helps leave something better that when you found it is just as laudable, because of the ripple effect.
So what every you do for the rest of your life, do it with passion, elan, and based in love and understanding, and let those ripples out into the universe.
Godspeed, young humans.
Tony Farkas is publisher of the San Jacinto News-Times and the Trinity County News-Standard. He can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication.
Comment
Comments