Little Advice for Graduates
May and June means graduation season is upon us.
Don’t let them fool you, this is a tough time of the year for moms or the person that serves in that function for you.
They are proud of you, whether they tell you or not. Most are probably busy running around with planning your post-graduation celebrations, looking a bit haggard but smiling through it all nonetheless.
Inside they are hiding a secret. Graduations are another cruel reminder their babies are growing up and about to leave the house one way or another, either to a first job, the military or off to college in a matter of weeks.
Your relief and joy is just another stage in life that your mom knows means she can’t protect you much longer from the realities of life that was primary in her job description of being a mom.
Tell her thank you with a gesture of your choice to reassure her she taught you well and did the best job she could raising you, albeit some likely mistakes.
Remember that a mother’s love is unconditional and she’ll always be there for you no matter what.
Thank your dad as well but his thanks is you doing the right thing in your future journeys.
Also, do yourself a favor and read Harrison Butker’s graduation address to Georgia Tech graduates this year. Butker is a two-time Super Bowl winning place kicker with the Kansas City Chiefs.
I won’t ruin it for you but his words should be required reading for any young person in this confusing world.
I can’t nor will I give you the key to a successful life. In my mind, I fell woefully short in the professional career department. With the help of my wife, we both made enough to pay the bills and get three kids through college. We saved what and when we could and lived a pretty simple life.
What would have been a tragedy is not being parents to our children by chasing money all day and night. If you want a lasting legacy that’s where to put your emphasis.
A child will always disappoint along the way. God knows I disappointed my folks much more than once. Raising a child will be the most difficult thing you do but the most rewarding.
No matter your passion, follow it. It is true, if you do, chances are you will never work a day in your life. Remember to have balance; money can bring happiness but it’s not worth your mental or physical health.
Humans were not built to work 60-, 70- or 80-hour weeks. Reminds me of a picture of a gravestone years ago that read: “I wish I would have spent more time at the office.” Yes, it was real. Guy had a sense of humor even in death.
Warm up to the fact that your life will not be perfect. Never has for anyone and never will be.
Rolling with the punches will keep you sane. The only people you need to satisfy are yourself and those closest to you; in other words, those who truly love you.
Other opinions are just noise and don’t matter in the great scheme of things.
Be wary of work friendships. More often than not, they are not sincere and can wind up toxic. Not saying they can’t be rewarding but I’ve witnessed too many that had an ulterior motive. You’ll often find out the hard way they were never your friend to begin with and only wanted something from you to advance a career. Do your job to the best of your ability and go home.
Make sure you always have a spiritual anchor whatever that is for you. It might literally wind up saving your life someday.
Count your blessings however small and infrequent because they are still a blessing.
Strive to treat others the way you want to be treated and always end a phone call to your parents, siblings and future children with the words “I love you” so they never have a doubt.
Happy graduation to all!
-Rick Nolan is retired and moved to Noblesville from Illinois. He has a background in the newspaper world and has worked in news, sports and business.