A Speech for the High School Graduates of 2008

Wear Sunscreen. These immortal words are at the beginning of perhaps the greatest graduation speech I've ever heard. It's called, amazingly enough, Wear Sunscreen. Although it is often attributed to Kurt Vonnegut or Baz Lurhmann, it was originally written by Mary Schmich, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune. I'm not sure if it was written for a high school graduation or for college. Luhrmann set it to music and that is where I heard it first, on MTV. I'm pretty sure I've dated myself by divulging that bit of information. This was back in the days when MTV showed videos, loads and loads of videos. Many of you may not remember MTV before Road Rules. If you've never heard the speech, please take time to look it up on the internet or find Baz Lurhmann's musical version on YouTube.

When I opted to take this assignment, I thought first about Mary Schmich's poignant and wonderful words. Schmich's piece was filled with wonderful graduation quotes. Then I wondered what I would share with the graduates of 2008 that would be of use to them in their lives. I recollected on my own high school graduation and I have to be honest here, I don't remember much about the speech from my graduation. Perhaps I should have taken notes or purchased a copy for posterity. Here are some graduation quotes that I coined and would share if I were called upon to address the 2008 high school graduates. I hope that some of these will make an impression.

Try not to judge. Most of the time, you won't have all the facts.

Forgive someone who hurt you deeply. It will be hard, but do it anyway. Forgiveness is a key that opens the door to many of life's blessings.

Be kind to the Earth, it's the only one we have. I know there's talk of colonizing the moon, but do you really want to live on the moon.

Never say never; things change and never is a really long time.

When you look back in a few years, what seems important to you now will have changed, so just relax. You will get through whatever you're going through.

Say please and thank you. You can't ever go wrong with respect and gratitude.

Don't hurt people just because you can.

Take care of your body; it's only on loan to you.

Give of your time, your money, your expertise or whatever you have. It may sound trite, but the gift you get back really is immeasurable.

Before you condemn someone, take a minute to look at life through their eyes. It may not change your opinion but it's good to learn to look at life from both sides.

Accept yourself, just the way you are. There is greatness within you right now. You don't have to lose or gain a pound, cut or grow your hair or do anything other than just be you. You are great right now!

Life will not always be easy, sweet or fair but occasionally it will be all three at once, so be prepared.

This is a really great time. You are young and you have the whole world at your feet. You don't realize it. So step back and understand that you have no limitations. You can do, be or have anything if you only put your mind to it.

Whatever you achieve in life starts first with your thoughts. Believe in your self and in your talents. No matter who you are or what you've been through, you have something that only you can give the world. In the immortal words of anonymous......Success begins with a fellow's will;/It's all in the state of mind./ If you think you're outclassed, you are./ You've got to think high to rise./ You've got to be sure of yourself before. You can ever win the prize./ Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man, /But sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.

Don't take your self too seriously. You still go to the toilet and pass gas, even if no one hears.

Always pray

Always love. Love never fails.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wear_Sunscreen