Dear Graduates, Whether the working world awaits you, or an academic endeavor calls your name, or possibly you joined the armed services, never forget the lessons you have learned these past few short years. Learn with intent. Get involved. The hand that gives is the same hand that receives. Just as important, do not let those who have assisted in your education go without thanks. 

Administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, janitors – everyone who was there in any shape or form to make your schooling that much better have offered their life’s work to you. Each of the people in those roles provide a lesson to those open enough to receive them and they would love to hear you took some of it in. Mindfulness towards others will get you farther than you might expect. They are all part of the story - your story.

All of these moments and people have culminated in the turning of tassels and, of course, the ceremonious tossing of graduation caps high up into the sky. When you throw your caps up into the air, they come back down to earth like shooting stars guiding the paths of you and your peers. The greatest part is that although there is no way to tell where it just might land after it leaves your hand, you, and only you, can aim in the direction you desire most. 

With faith, hard work and trust in yourself, lofty dreams can be turned into a reality – these tenants are the keys to the world. They cannot be taken away from your character if you view them as precious and necessary as air to breath and water to drink.

But all of the dreams are for the future. For today and this weekend, take the time to be here, in the moment. You only get one high school graduation weekend – enjoy it with friends and family. This weekend is for you! 

Oh, and one last thing before you go – don’t forget to grab that cap up off the ground after you’ve tossed it. The clean up after the celebration is also part of the story, and some would argue that keeping a tidy lifestyle is the key to finding and keeping success. 

Never forget, a clean path leads to a clear conscious.