Well, once again, since no one has invited me to be the keynote speaker for their college's commencement address, here is what I would say in my speech to the Class of 2010:
As you leave college and go out into the 'Real World,' remember humility. You are the blessed ones that had the privilege of college. You are the ones that didn't flunk out or drop out. You persevered. And you will most likely have to keep on persevering. Yes, college is a lot of studying but it's not on-the-job training. Never be haughty about your degree because somewhere out there is another person your age who may not have had the money to go to college but might be 'hungrier' than you are and be willing to work twice as hard and twice as long to get the job.
I'm not going to lie to you. In today's depressed economy in the U.S. and the world, it is harder to find a job than any other time in my lifetime. You may have to live with your parents, have several roomates or rough it for a few years.
Your future employers need to see a twinkle in your eye. What you don't have in experience, you can make up with in enthusiasm. Your younger age equals energy, something many need in jobs these days since most are doing two or three people's jobs as opposed to ten years ago. You need a 'can-do' attitude. You don't have the burn-out of those who are already working.
You will be like my grandparents' and parents' generations who remember the last Great Depression and told stories for the rest of their lives. Stories like feeding hobos their leftovers at the back door. They were more frugal and harder workers because of it. And they never forgot to be thankful for what they had because they knew what it was like to live without.
GO BOLDLY INTO THE FUTURE. Don't be afraid. God will be with you - just ask Him. He said He will never leave you or forsake you and He always means what He says. His word also says, "For God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind."
If you're not afraid to work, then you WILL find a job. Where there's a will, there's a way. You may have to get creative. You will definitely have to be patient. And you will have to be positive. Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, you can."
Here are some of my favorite quotes to live by from some wise people:
"The trouble with the rat race, is that even if you win, you're still a rat."
"Get busy living or get busy dying."
"When it's dark enough, you can see the stars."
"Courage is fear that has said it's prayers."
"To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."
"Bad is never good 'til worse happens."
"You can do anything but not everything."
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."'
"Those who wish to sing, always find a song."
"The best way out is always through."
"4 things you can't recover,
the stone, after the throw,
the word, after it's said,
the occasion, after it's missed,
the time, after it's gone."
"You can't run away from trouble, there ain't no place that far."
"We should give meaning to life, and not wait for life to give us meaning."
"Turn your wounds into wisdom."
"If you keep saying things are going to be bad, you have the chance at being a prophet."
And finally, the best words to live by in The Word:
"Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all other things shall you then be added."
Go boldly into the world.
May God be with you...
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