A Salute to the Graduates of 2015

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3 

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In the days ahead seniors every where will be graduating. They and their parents are  experiencing a myriad of emotions that include nostalgia, joy, sadness, excitement, reflection, pride and a bit of anxiousness and uncertainty. The current journey is coming to a close and a new adventure awaits. I have attended 44 graduations so far in my life. Four of them were my own—high school graduation and three college graduations. Three of them were for my daughter, and I will attend her fourth graduation late summer.

So, I know first hand how important this big event is. It is a time for celebration, recognition and blessings. Numerous individuals have been involved in shaping the lives of your sons and daughters. Give thanks for the journey. Enjoy this time together. Celebrate their successes.

The following 15 tips have been written for the Class of 2015 to guide and transition them to the next step of their journey.  Congratulations and best wishes to you!

 

1. STEP OUT OF THE BOX

Be ready to stretch your wings as you start this new journey. Live life. Take risks. Expect to fail. Experience is the best teacher. It is okay to think about what once was, but keep your eye on the ball so you don’t miss what is in front of you.

2. PUSH YOURSELF

Challenge yourself to learn something new every day. Build a short list of goals and document what you learn and accomplish along the way.

 3. CREATE A BUCKET LIST

Think about the experiences you want to be a part of. Make a list of the things you would like to do while on this new journey. This is not your life long list, just the list for this time and place.

 4. MEET NEW FRIENDS

Make lots of new friends and connections. It pays to learn as much as you can about other people so you can appreciate the differences and recognize the commonalities you share. There may be a time or place you need one another.

 5. KEEP AN EYE ON THE FUTURE

Brainstorm a list of options for the future, but be open to the opportunities that may ‘fall in your lap.’ Remember, the world you live in today will not be the world you live in four years down the road.

6. NEVER QUIT

When you stumble, get back up. Realize that what happened yesterday does not have to impact today. If you experience a setback, try again and again. Don’t let someone or some circumstance determine your future. Victory will come.

 7. ASK QUESTIONS

Lots of them. So what if one is labeled as a dumb question? Ask it any way. Who cares if someone else gets embarrassed because you took a chance to get clarification? If you don’t ask, you won’t know.

 8. BRING YOUR ‘A’ GAME

Bring your best to every single event you participate in. Be the best you can be. This is not about perfection. It’s about being prepared. It’s about character, integrity and work ethic.

 9. GOD’S GOT YOUR BACK

Remember He is there for you. None of us is perfect. We all make mistakes and He knows that. How reassuring to know that He loves you unconditionally and has the perfect plan for your life and your best interest at heart.

 10.THE GOLDEN RULE

Be compassionate and treat people with respect and kindness. But never let your kind heart be mistaken for weakness. When necessary give people the ‘big-eyed’ look when you are serious. Life is about boundaries and the golden rule—treat others the way you want to be treated. Relationships are important and people really do matter.

 11. BE SAFE & MAKE GOOD DECISIONS

Think before you act. Be thoughtful about your safety and the dangers that come with faulty thinking. You are not super woman or super man and you are not invincible. Know that every decision has a consequence. Many of them will be life-changing.

12. BE HAPPY

Find something that brings joy to your life. Regardless of your circumstances your attitude can be the sunshine that lights your path and the path for others to follow. Spread your joy. Happy is, as happy does.

 13. BE DISCERNING

You will have people in your life who you consider ‘favorites.’ Make sure they’ve earned that status for the right reasons. Hopefully those individuals have given a part of themselves to you. Did they challenge you, encourage you, support you, and cheer for you? It’s not about money. It’s about the gift of time, love and encouragement. Your favorite people should never be those who let you off the hook, excuse poor decisions and bad judgments, or model laziness or inappropriate behavior.

 14. GIVE THANKS & SAY YOUR PRAYERS

Be grateful and thankful to your family, friends, teachers, and others who have played a significant part in helping you get where you are today. Pray any time, morning, noon, or night. Lay your cares and concerns at His feet. He has you covered. And remember, Father knows best.

15. NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

The world is your stage and you have planned and prepared for such a time as this.  What are you waiting for? Pursue your goals and dreams with passion. Reach for the stars. Show others the skills and attributes you can bring to the table. Don’t let small minds stomp on your BIG dreams. Go get ‘em.

 I’ll be praying for you.

Mitzi

*This post, ‘A Salute to the Graduates of 2015,’ first appeared on peacefullyimperfect.net.