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words of inspiration: commencement reflections

This Spring I attended a family graduation at the foot of the Washington Monument. A more stirring sight is hard to find. But what was really inspiring were the words of the speakers who had overcome adversity and strived to express their values through service.

Maybe it’s a long time since your own graduation and it’s difficult to remember the words that served to propel you out into the world. What if you could have that encouragement and inspiration anytime you needed it? Instead of being alone and struggling to know what step to take next in your life/career design, there are resources for you.

I tried to take notes during the weekend festivities. Mature and young, accomplished and enthusiastic students, speakers and professors were sharing their stories and lessons learned. How enriching to know that others have been afraid and lost and confused. What a gift to see the paths they took toward work they loved. I was left with hope and urgency.

People with humble beginnings or with challenges so daunting rose to become engaged and productive. Senator Tammy Duckworth speaking at George Washington University encouraged everyone to “enter the Arena”. What does that mean to you? What Arena is calling you? Where do you belong? Exposing yourself to interests allows you to know whether it’s a “No” or “Let me learn more…”

Frank Sesno, GW professor and journalist, suggested we get curious and ask questions. What are your questions? What information do you need from within and from the world? At any point in our lives we can ask for a Check In. Am I living the life I want? Am I doing the work I love? What needs tweaking?

So how can you find inspiration if there are no graduations in sight? Or a few days after hearing a compelling message, you are mired in your day to day. Google “commencement speeches”. Just as we learn from podcasts, youtube, online education, we can access speeches from years past. Steve Jobs had a famous one. Kumail Nanjiani’s speech is gaining note this year. Hillary Clinton returned to Wellesly to address the graduates.

Watching a speech doesn’t have to be a passive endeavor. You can share your “take aways” with family and friends. You can digest and apply it to your life and create action steps. You can journal and reflect. These are peers sharing their journeys. And that journey never ends. It doesn’t go on autopilot. It needs your input and energy. Or you risk living a life that doesn’t fit you.

“Sometimes, the only way to discover who you are or what life you should lead is to do less planning and more living-to burst the double bubble of comfort and convention and just do stuff, even if you don’t know precisely where it’s going to lead, because you don’t know precisely where it’s going to lead”

Daniel Pink

What if you were to write your own graduation speech, a graduation from life up until now? What would you include? What would stand out from your life so far? What would you want to pass on? Here are some of mine and others:

Take a risk
Help someone
Find what you love
Make a community
Keep learning
Get in action
Ask great questions
Treat people as people
Jump over fear
Show up
Work hard
Change the channel
Be grateful
Laugh at yourself
Use creativity

What’s your list? People’s lives are zigzagging all over the place. If you stand still, you won’t grow. So get out there and experience something/someone new. You may not stick with it, but you won’t be bored. Find people, experiences, places that cheer you on, pick you up.

Write your Next Chapter:

Learn from the past
Take inspiration from others
Choose something new
Emerse yourself
Grow and be proud

Forge ahead and meet you on the path!

the mysterious destination: enjoying the journey

Red Rock Canyon Landscape at Sunset

Last month an intriguing path called to me in the red rocks of Sedona. I noticed it from above and saw that it wound around a hill and went off into the distance. I knew nothing about it, where it went, how long it was, how difficult. Up until then I had researched all of my trails and was fully prepared. Why was this one different and why was it calling me?

So without consulting the information board, a trail map, or anyone around, three of us set off. It soon became uncomfortable for one of our party and she took a familiar path to the car to wait.

Two of us continued on the “Airport Loop Trail”. I knew the airport wasn’t far and that our transportation was parked nearby. Certainly this would be a fun, surprising adventure.

But the path took us away from our destination. We heard planes, even saw them, but couldn’t reach the airport. Along the way was a 360 degree view of Sedona. Very interesting and beautiful, but there was a nagging worry in our minds.

How long was this going to take? Did we have enough water? What about our friend who was waiting? Where did it end?

Without our sense of urgency, we could have eased into the process.. enjoyed the walk.. the newness.. the journey. But we kept wondering how much longer, where are we going, what will we find?

Our experience reminds me of negotiating life change. We may be attracted to something, but not have much information. It looks intriguing from a distance, but there are no guarantees of what you’ll find. You may not know how to get started and where to turn. There is no map.

Some of us dream from afar and never take the first step. Others jump right in and find they are missing a parachute. Patty was like that. She felt stuck in a job that brought more stress than joy. To take a break she traveled to Portland, Oregon where she refreshed in the laid back, natural atmosphere. Upon return home, Patty gave notice and started looking for a job and housing in Portland. 

As she delved more deeply into the process, Patty learned that Portland job opportunities were limited in her field. People were more highly educated and experienced. The pay was less, yet the rents were comparable to home. Now Patty had created additional stress instead of escaping it.

What Patty lacked was a clear vision, information, and a strategic life plan. Often when we reach the tipping point for change, we want it to happen fast. We fail to look at all sides. We know we don’t like where we are and think anywhere else will be better. And yet that new situation may not fulfill us either. How can we know for sure? We want that guarantee that we’ve found the correct fit.

“Being at ease with not knowing is crucial for answers to come to you”

Eckhart Tolle

How much can we really predict and be sure of? How much unknown can we tolerate? I didn’t know until I was well on that trail that I would like it, that I could do it. And I had no guarantee that the path at the beginning would stay the same. What if the terrain changed and it became too difficult. What if it ended abruptly, what if the steepness became overwhelming?

Even with our research, surprises happen. How will you prepare for those surprises? When do we turn around, when do we call for help, when do we change direction?

Some tools to help when you’re in unknown territory:

A belief in yourself
A trust in the process
Flexibility when the unexpected occurs
Willingness to ask for help
Gratitude for the opportunity

As far as the hike, we did reach the end of four miles and our friend was waiting for us. We’d do it again, but this time we’d be better prepared.

Happy adventures and see you on the path!