Graduation is upon us. Meaning many will graduate from kindergarten, grade school, middle school, high school, college both undergrad/grad or their Phd.
This is the time when the speakers.. the inspirers will be out in full force talking about the future. Some famous and some not. Some getting paid handsomely and others speaking for free.
If I had to pick a time or age to speak to the masses I’d say it would be the 18 year old. What would I tell my 18 year old self?
Whats that the future is so bright I can just wear shades?
No ..although a lovely thought.
Okay then um ...go to college and get good grades then your set with a good job?
Well lets assume that has worked for some years but there is no guarantee meaning you can accumulate such debt with institutions these days.
Corporations hire college grads yes but… with no real regulation in place for Universities they can just keep raising tuition. You ever hear the saying that college is treated like a necessity yet charged like luxury?
I think I would tell my 18 year old self a few things.
First, with the population of the world now being over 7 billion people remember you will need people meaning as a human you cannot do most things alone.
People can get you jobs, guide you to, network, community, friends, etc…
Sometimes it is just about being in the right place at the right time.
No matter how brilliant or talented you are its just luck really. Some people are luckier than others.
Travel often because that is the best way to get a better sense of the world and humanity.
Turn off the news. News is just negative. The talking bobble-heads will make you feel you can’t leave your home because something bad will happen.
Try to be kind even when your hungry and tired.
Some say that you will be remembered for how you make others feel rather than what you know.
Go places by yourself often. It helps with confidence.
Even with directions you can still get lost. Learn that its okay to get lost. Sometimes you may stumble and find something you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Decisions can be made but just as often change your mind.
Crossroads and choices. Embrace change.
We are not living in a world where you have one job and one career and one this or that.
Go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
No one said you had to reach a certain destination in a certain amount of time.