Editor’s note: Due to an error at the Summit Daily News, this column did not appear on the date originally scheduled.
With all the media attention on graduation ceremonies and commencement celebrations, I began thinking about what helpful advice and wisdom I would impart to graduates if I were given the opportunity to deliver a keynote speech. Here is what I would say, in 700 words or less:
Congratulations! Graduation is a major milestone to celebrate, but it’s not the end of a journey, it’s a new beginning. As you enter the next stage of your life, be a good listener and be eager to learn. Practice humility and be open to other ideas and perspectives. “Academics” are rarely more valuable than real-life experiences. Engage with experts, ask questions, and adopt their success habits.
Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Practice tolerance and forgiveness. If there’s something you’d write, say, or post online that you wouldn’t want your mother to hear or see on the front page of the newspaper, then don’t write, say, or send it. We all fall short of this standard at times, but remember that the most insecure people are also the most critical of others. Putting others down in order to elevate yourself is never a good plan.
We all fear failure, but life is a lot like baseball. If you can maintain a .300 batting average your whole life, you’re a Hall of Fame candidate. That means you have roughly a two-thirds chance of not succeeding. If you keep making the same mistakes, it’s time to pay attention, but if not, these temporary setbacks allow you to bounce back wiser and stronger. Some of our greatest entrepreneurs experienced major setbacks and failures before achieving great success.
To paraphrase Bob Dylan, we have to serve someone or something. I’m trying to serve Jesus, but the sooner I realize that it’s not about me, the happier and more peaceful I’ll be. In your relationships, be authentic and vulnerable. Never choose your friends because of their political stances. Make it your goal in life to selflessly serve others and build stronger communities. Humans are not made to live in isolation.
All governments are man-made and subject to human imperfection, but don’t get me wrong. You are lucky to live in the United States of America. Really read the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Don’t confuse your God-given rights with rights caused by government programs. It took boldness, courage, and the blood of many patriots to secure and maintain these rights for you and for generations past and future. The United States Constitution is the greatest advancement in individual freedom and human rights since Magna Carta and the Ten Commandments. Don’t lightly surrender your constitutional rights to private corporations, over-reaching governments, or social media. Thank those who served your country and remember those who made the greatest sacrifice.
You are all born with worth and talent. Try new things and activities that will test your comfort zone. You are rarely in a position to make a world-changing difference, but you can make a positive difference that will make a big difference across your community. Take pride in what you do, even if it is temporary. A positive approach to the most unseen jobs and tasks may open the door to bigger opportunities.
It’s okay to not know what you want to do when you “grow up,” but don’t stop exploring while you’re still figuring it out. Mental and physical stagnation never leads to success. No relationship or job is worth your mental or physical health, but love your family and others.
William Edwards Deming famously said, “Change is not a necessity, survival is not an obligation.” This quote is important to remember both personally and professionally. Sears Roebuck was once the largest company in the United States, and built the tallest building in the world to demonstrate its strength and power. It was the Amazon.com of its time. Today, this company no longer exists. I wish you all the success in the world, but do not let wealth, fame, or arrogance control your life. Always accept love, grace, and forgiveness.
Bruce Butler’s column, “Common Sense Conversations,” appears in the Summit Daily News every other Tuesday. Butler is a former Silverthorne mayor and city council member and has lived in the city for 20 years. He can be reached at butlerincolorado@gmail.com.
