I suspect many of you will soon be congratulating your son, daughter, niece, nephew, or other young person upon their high school graduation. I thought it would be fun to research some of the best words of wisdom from commencement speeches given by successful people – please feel free to share those most fitting to your special graduate as they prepare to take the next step in their journey.
- “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” Steve Jobs
- “Have the wisdom to recognize the best in others while always demanding the best from yourself.” Madeleine Albright
- “Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path… then by all means you should follow that.” Ellen DeGeneres
- “Despite difficulties, always keep optimism. ‘I can overcome these difficulties.’ That mental attitude itself will bring inner strength and self-confidence.” Dalai Lama
- “Don’t let your fears overwhelm your desire… you will never know what you’re capable of unless you try.” Sheryl Sandberg
- “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison
- “And finally, this: This will save you. Stop comparing yourself to other people. You’re only on this planet to be you, not someone else’s imitation of you.” Oprah Winfrey
One last thing: if the graduate in your life is your child and is off to college soon, please consider this before they head off: make sure you have medical and financial powers of attorney signed by them. Without these legal forms in place, for example, if your child is in an accident (God forbid) and is incapacitated, the hospital cannot legally divulge any information about their condition to you. Can you imagine? No, me either, but depending on the care team and the medical facility, it could happen. I hope you already have these documents in place. If you don’t and would like my help, please reach out.
Best regards,