Some Advice for the Graduates
It was 46 years ago that l graduated from Center Moriches High School, Class of 1978, and it seems like yesterday that my life was just beginning. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and wish I had done many things a lot differently. I’ve lived and learned and offer the following advice to the graduates based on what I’ve experienced in life so far.
Make the most of your time. Your life will pass you by so fast you won’t believe it. Don’t waste any of it.
Pursue a path where you can make money. Use your time and energy to set up a career, occupation, or a business; educate yourself for the purpose of earning a good living. You will want to have a nice car, a house, travel, vacations, donate to causes—create a plan and set goals so you can be successful in whatever you choose.
You may want to have a family; make sure you have the ability to support it. Before you know it, you’ll be old, so put together a retirement plan during your working years. It will be one of the best gifts the young you can give to your future self.
Don’t waste your time drinking and getting stoned; don’t take drugs. Every minute you waste in an altered state is a minute you could have spent improving yourself. Keep your mind sharp and resolve to be physically fit. Don’t ruin your body with cigarettes and vapes. Aren’t convinced? Go check out someone who needs an oxygen tank to breathe and see how they hate what they did to themselves.
Make it a habit to go work out, stretch, do Yoga, Pilates, swim, bike, go for walks, whatever gets you off the couch. Enjoy hobbies and fun activities, challenge yourself. Go to the beach or take a hike, experience nature. Get out from behind the computer screen. Stay away from unhealthy food. You’ll feel so much better without coffee, Red Bull, and a bunch of sugar going through your system.
Spend some time reflecting on your life. Where are you going? Where have you been? Focus on the goals you have set for success. If you believe in a God, let your beliefs guide you. If you stay on track, happiness will come.
Your life will be much more pleasant if you’re nice to others. Be generous, be polite, hold the door for the next guy, and offer to help. Smile and display a positive attitude. Good deeds will always come back to you. Don’t push your opinion on others; don’t be argumentative—you don’t always have to be right. Nothing is gained by tearing someone down. If you or the other person is high, don’t even try to have a meaningful discussion.
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of driving. There’s no need for speed. You don’t have to ride up someone’s ass and then cut in front of them. You will all arrive at the same place pretty much at the same time, and you’ll feel pretty stupid having given each other the finger. At an intersection, let the other car go first. Slow down and let someone in. If you do this, when you get to the light, it will be green. When you want to pull out, there will be a space for you. If you are a little delayed because you offered someone a courtesy, when you get to where you are going, a parking spot will open up just for you. Try it; you’ll be amazed.
Life is a series of ups and downs. Things will get pretty crummy, and then good things will happen. Don’t dwell on the negative. Go through life knowing that no matter what, the pendulum will always swing the other way, and the good will come to you.
Everyone has the same opportunity to succeed; don’t believe otherwise. It doesn’t matter if your family is rich or poor, if you’re black or white, tall or short, handsome or plain, college-bound or not—everyone can achieve success if they set their mind to it, pursue their goals, and never give up. Don’t let anyone drag you down.