Every spring I am seized with the urge to offer unsolicited advice to young graduates.
I have the wisdom of the ages to share, the hard lessons and the inspirational moments. I'm convinced, all evidence to the contrary, that there exists a young person out there who could glean some life lessons from my well-chosen words.
I believe this despite the fact that my own children, two of whom are graduating this year, consider most of what I have to say little more than the white noise of their lives.
To prove my point, I gave the keynote speech at a Junior Achievement gathering this week. Close to 400 teenage girls listened with rapt attention to my advice.
Some of them might have been asleep or simply stunned by the early hour but at least they were quiet about it. If there was any eye-rolling I didn't see it.
This is not how things work at my house.
Here's what I told those young women. Feel free to tie your own teenagers to a chair, read this column out loud and add your own hard-earned advice:
If you're not passionate about something, don't do it. If you take a job because it's what your parents want you to do or because you think you'll be making a lot of money, you're going to be miserable.
There's nothing wrong with making a lot of money.
There's nothing wrong with making just enough to get by if your job gives you joy.
Ultimately, though, it's not about the money.
If your job isn't your passion, don't worry. Use it as a means to achieve your dreams -- travel, the chance to spend time with friends, the opportunity to lead a balanced life.
Read.
Don't let fear hold you back. Don't worry about looking foolish or different or wanting things that other people don't value. You're an individual, not a sheep.
Vote.
Most of the time, people are focused on themselves, not you. Trust me on this one.
Floss.
If you try something and fail, you have the satisfaction of having learned something. You can always try again or you can decide it was a dumb idea and walk away.
The models in magazines are not real people.
Be brave.
Be kind.
Talk to strangers. Talk to your parents. Make eye contact. When someone says something to you and you're stuck for an answer, say "tell me more." They will.
Make a difference. Volunteer. Donate your money. Tell people what you care about and why. If you haven't got anything you care about, ask yourself why not.
Tequila is rarely a good idea.
Champagne, on the other hand, has real virtues.
There are plenty of ways to get attention. Decide what kind of attention it is you're actually after.
Stop calling adults "you guys". We hate it. Someday you will, too.
Don't back away from things that are challenging or painful. They'll make you better people.
Have fun.
Take chances.
Dance like no one's watching. Most of the time no one is.
Laugh. Laugh deep, rich belly laughs. Laugh at yourself.
Remember that there are very few decisions you'll make that can't be changed.
Trust yourself. You're more capable than you believe.
Wear sunscreen.
No one has it all figured out. They really don't.
Being clever isn't the same as being mean. No one likes mean.
Find a way to get to Paris at least once. Trust me on that one.
Class of 2008, I salute you!
Now stand up straight and don't even think about that third piercing.
lindor.reynolds@freepress.mb.ca
Lindor Reynolds blogs at www.winnipegfreepress.com
PREVIOUS
