All across the country, high school students just had the “biggest day of their lives:” graduation day. Not to date myself too much, but 14 years ago I was walking across that same stage many of you have or will soon walk across. I have never given a commencement address before, but if I were to give one, this is what I would say.
Congratulations on your graduation from high school. It is a great achievement in your life, but don’t make it the last one. You should have graduated from high school. You will often hear that your high school years are the best years of your life. I loved my four years of high school, but they’re not going to be the best four of my life. If you think that way, you’re thinking too small and cheating yourself. Your best days are ahead of you. It’s not downhill after high school; it only gets better. You must be willing to work hard, develop lasting relationships, and be willing to serve others. Enjoy the final days and summer with your high school friends, but remember you are about to embark on a new journey and one that will lead you the best days of your life.
One of my favorite movie quotes is comes from Crash, “You think you know who you are but you have no idea.” I love this because it applies to my life. I thought I knew everything and had everything planned out at 18 years of age. I remember telling a friend of the family that I’ll always have a buzzed head (I used a zero guard) and that I’ll always live in St. Charles, Missouri. She said, “Just wait until you meet your future wife.” Well the hair thing lasted until I met my future wife in my sophomore year of college, and I haven’t lived in St. Charles since we moved in together after college. I’ve changed a lot, and for the better. And so will you. Be open to change and be willing to deviate from what you know. Just because something is what you’ve always known doesn’t necessary make it the best or right. In 14 years from now, you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve changed.
Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
To continue reading, please click here: