A Word to Graduates
It was my high privilege to deliver the Baccalaureate sermon to the graduating classes of Piedmont Academy and Jasper County High School this year. As many of you I am sure know it was a special year for me to have this honor because my daughter is a member of Piedmont’s class of 2011.
I will not repeat what I said in that sermon other than to lift up the basic theme of the message which was that it’s the choices that we make in life that define us, and we can never underestimate how the choices we make might impact our lives the lives of others and even our eternity.
Last year in this column I offered for our graduates 10 snippets of advice as the graduates move into their future endeavors. In as much as I believe these principles are true I, at the risk of being redundant, offer them again to our graduates in the hopes that they might glean something from them.
Top Ten Things for Graduates to Remember:
1. Not everyone is going to like you. It’s sad but its true, not everyone in the world will celebrate your success.
2. Do not let the negative people you encounter make you a negative person.
3. Choose your battles. There are times we must stand up for our principles; however, not everything is worth fighting over.
4. When in conflict with others, ask yourself how you would like things to be when the conflict ends. Make that your goal; conflict is about you winning and not the other person losing.
5. No one owes you anything. Being a victim is not a path to success in life.
6. Don’t be afraid to dance. Sometimes you might look stupid but you will always enjoy the party.
7. Some days will be good, others will be bad. Celebrate the good days and remember that even in the bad days there are opportunities.
8. Pray. To have a relationship with anyone you have to communicate with them. It is the same way in our relationship with God.
9. Be a friend. To have friends one needs to be a friend
10. Put God first. When we do that everything else will take care of itself.
God bless the Class of 2011. The world into which you step is filled with questions and uncertainty. May you temper the knowledge that you have gained with the wisdom that comes from God alone and may the world be a better place because of all that you accomplish.