Nothing underscores the Principles of Shine more than a high school graduation celebration. It is inspiring - maybe even overwhelming - to watch young people walk across the stage and into a future that is big and bright and - with a little luck - filled with Shine.
Older people, like me, welcome the chance to participate in events like these. Not because we believe high school graduations commemorate the pinnacle of a student's success. No. In fact, we and most high school students realize that graduating from high school is merely the beginning.
Instead, we happily participate in these ceremonies because we realize how important it is to gather together, in force, to celebrate human potential. Yesterday my family and I celebrated the graduation of a young man who we have known since he was eight years old. He is smart and hard working and he is eager to get out in the world to make a difference. Our participation in his graduation was our way of saying, "We believe in you. We are proud of what you did and, as importantly, we look forward to all you will do."
There is hope in these events. A constant recharging of the batteries that power change.
Join me this week, in recognizing a young person who is graduating. It could be graduating from high school or college, but it might also be a young person who is graduating from one stage of his life to another. Participating is easy. Write him or her a short note of congratulations. Applaud the time and dedication they have demonstrated to date and challenge them to exhibit the same enthusiasm for pursuing a life that shines - a life where their contribution makes a corner of the world a better, brighter place to live.
Seal your letter in a yellow envelope and mail it to his or her address sometime before next Monday. You decide whether or not to include your return address. I think I'll make my letter anonymous. And, if you still have power in your battery, visit us in the Comment Section and tell us about your best (or worst) graduation adventure
Shining off until tomorrow...