To College Graduates

TO THE COLLEGE GRADUATES

 Question everything.  Think logically.  Consider your sources of information.  Realize every question can have multiple answers or no satisfactory answer at all.  Answers may contribute to facts or support opinions. Some answers are unknown, but still ask.  Some questions may remain in your brain, never to be spoken or written down for anyone else to hear or view.  Other questions may benefit from discussing with a trusted, non-judgmental friend, one who will keep your confidence.  Many questions require research, but always consider your sources to see if they are valid or unbiased.

Remember that your opinion is just as valuable as the opinions of others.  Even when you seem to be in the minority or perhaps you are the only person you know who thinks the way you do,  have confidence in your own intelligence and logical thinking. 

You have learned so much these past four years especially in your chosen field.  You have also learned many life lessons as you went from your home and family to living a more independent life.  You are still a son or daughter with very strong ties to your parents, and that is to be expected, but realize you are an adult with a separate mind; your parents are adults with theirs.  As a child, you valued your parents' opinions almost without question, but as you became an adult, you may have begun to value your own opinions more, even to the point of disagreeing with your family members.  You aren't being disloyal; you are just growing up.  Be sensitive as you present your ideas.  Your parents will also need to respect your thinking and value your journey toward being an independent adult.  All adults need to acquire the ability to respect other opinions.

Keep questioning throughout your life.  You may change your mind more than once as you gain more experience, broaden your perspective, and deepen your thinking.  Some of you will continue on with formal education, increasing your knowledge, talents, and skills.  All of you should become lifelong learners seeking answers to questions.

Remember you are not the center of the universe; you are part of nature.  Please do what you can to protect, sustain, and improve our world, environment, and habitat.  Also do what you can to improve the lives of your fellow human beings.

Congratulations on your accomplishments and live life to the fullest.